If he can afford that $1M plus helicopter in the background, he can wear whatever badge or star he wants. 3 star in many places indicates a fairly large department. Some East Coast departments denote leadership with white shirts (Baltimore, US Capitol Police and recently DC Metro) for example). On the other hand, in CA it is rare. Sometimes readers miss the big picture for the little picture! My security forces troops rode in Vietnam vintage (yes, Serial Numbers 69) HH-1 helicopters for missile field airborne fire teams, we could have used Air 1! They still use these same 35 year old, but rebuilt, helos.

Phil Henning, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)

Most Illinois depts where a star. Probably patterned after Chicago and ISP.

Talk about stars, badges and shields all you want. You still don't have the nifty shades and cool helicopter.....

No need to apologize to me. I just feel bad for all those COPS who have to wear Sheriff stars. In NY, where this post is revolving around, some Sheriff's Deputies aren't even police officers. Illinois isn't even in the west.

Sorry Joe, the world does not revolve around NY. Many cops (police depts as opposed to sheriff's depts) wear stars. Most notably in Illinois. That is why they are called BADGES and not SHIELDS. Every cop wears a badge but not all cops wear shields

If this guy is a Police Chief, how come he's wearing a Sheriff's Star? White shirts do not make a Police Chief.

I'm sure he knows where to find a few.........