SAN JOSE — Someone broke into a police officer’s personal car at Alum Rock Park and took the officer’s police badge Wednesday afternoon, the San Jose Police Department said.

Officer Albert Morales said an officer’s non-duty vehicle was burglarized about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday somewhere on the park grounds. He described the take as personal items and the badge, which is silver with engraved blue lettering and an insignia, reading “San Jose police” at the top and “officer” across the bottom. Morales added that no weapons were stolen.

Further details about the theft were not immediately available.

Retrieving the badge is naturally a top priority for the department, Morales said.

“We don’t want someone out there falsely using a badge to stop somebody or present themselves as a police officer,” he said.

Morales said anyone who comes across the badge should call 911 or contact police. Furthermore, anyone who believes they were approached by someone who might be impersonating an officer can call 911 to verify the legitimacy of the stop.

Anonymous tips about the badge’s whereabouts can be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or with svcrimestoppers.org.

Contact Robert Salonga at 408-920-5002. Follow him at Twitter.com/robertsalonga.