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STOCKTON-

Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva used his own money to buy police-like badges for his personal security force.

Anyone can wear a badge, but a police badge can only be worn by law enforcement, according to Stockton City code.

The four badges purchased by Mayor Silva for his own personal security team are not the same badges worn by city police officers, but they look similar in color and size.

Documents obtained by FOX40 indicate the mayor spent more than $1,100 of his own money to outfit his security team with blue and gold “City of Stockton” badges.

The Police Department is concerned they are too similar. Stockton Police Officer Joe Silva sent the following statement to FOX40:

“Our department’s practice is not to pass out honorary type badges to members of the community because they do look like law enforcement badges and we would not want someone to misuse the badge, impersonate a peace officer, or for the community to be confused about any perceived authority.”