Purpose behind council
badges

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Terre Haute City Councilman Turk Roman allegedly showed his city council badge, claiming he was a police officer.

Looking at a police badge and a council badge, they are almost identical.

Councilman Norm Loudermilk said while he's never used his badge, in 12 years on the council he's never heard of any accusations of abuse, until now.

"I understand the public's concern that it looks like a police badge, but I think it's the intent behind it," Loudermilk said.

What powers are city council members given with a badge? Loudermilk said, none. It's just for identification.

"Other councilmen have used their badge to identify themselves when they're knocking on doors to find out information on zoning or other issues in a neighborhood," Loudermilk said.

For more than a decade, police have given badges to members of the council when they're elected.

Now, that Roman's facing a felony will the tradition continue?

"I don't think because there's an allegation we should throw the whole thing away and say we're taking these back," Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse said.

As for using another form of council ID, Plasse said it may not be as official as using a badge.

Police may consider new designs for the council badges. The City Legal Department is looking into the badge issue.

Plasse said whatever the attorneys decide, they'll comply with.

The councilmen are the only city officials the police department orders badges for.