2010 National Police Collectors Show Rules

Approved by show hosts Frank Selvaggio, Don Magruder, Bob Shockey, and Charlie Greer

The rules and policies of the National Police Collector Shows have evolved over the years and are changed annually to best fit the particular show venue, to meet specific considerations, or avert perceived problems.  Your show hosts for 2010 National Police Collectors Show believe that the rules and policies that govern these National Shows should be as uniform as possible from year to year.  At the 2009 National Police Collectors Show we met with several respected collectors, as well as past National Show hosts, who all agreed with this idea in principle.  As such, you will see many similarities governing the rules and policies of the 2010 National Police Collectors Show.  Permission was granted by certain past National Show hosts to use rules and polices printed from their particular shows for this show.

We want every National Police Collectors Show to be the premier annual law enforcement collecting event, no matter where it is held.  All of us have made numerous friends in this hobby and many times only get to see those friends once a year at the National Shows.  Help us keep these friendships, as well as the National Shows, alive and well.  We encourage you to spread the word of this hobby throughout the law enforcement community, especially to the younger officers who don’t seem as prevalent at these shows as they used to be.  For this hobby to survive we need to get others interested in collecting and to find those collectors who don’t know about these shows and get them there.  Not only do we need collectors to reserve tables but we also need plenty of walk through traffic.  The only way for this to happen is to get the word out.  This responsibility rests on every collector who attends these shows, not just the show hosts.

We have to ‘police’ these shows ourselves.  It is every individual’s responsibility at this National Show to watch out for theft and fraud.  The 2010 National Police Collectors Show and show hosts are not responsible for any theft or loss.  It is also every individual’s responsibility to know who you are selling and/or trading with, especially when it involves transactions with badges.  This show will be open to the public so everyone in attendance is not necessarily a law enforcement officer.  Law enforcement identification will not be checked at the door and is not necessary for entrance to the show.  It is recommended that you limit the sale of any badge to known reputable collectors or law enforcement officers.  Ask for identification if you are not sure.  If they refuse to identify themselves then refuse to complete the transaction and contact a show host.  The National Show and show hosts are not responsible for what is sold or whom it is sold to; you are fully responsible for each and every sale, trade, transfer, transaction, or purchase that you participate in.  This is a law enforcement specific hobby and as such you are expected to uphold the values, ethics, and principles of that profession whether or not you are a law enforcement officer yourself.

Federal Badges

No current-issue federal badges may be sold or traded at the show, regardless of authenticity.  Commemorative issues, such as millennium or inaugural badges, are permitted if those items were authorized for sale publicly by that particular agency. 

Reproductions

A reproduction is defined as any item that is an unauthorized copy of an authentic item including items in which the basic design of an authentic item was copied, but only a few colors were changed.  All reproduction items must be clearly marked as such.  This includes items for trade or sale and items displayed in any manner (including within displays that are being considered for awards).  Failure to mark an item as a reproduction in one of these displays may result in the award being forfeited.  Simply marking that the authenticity of an item is not known in a display is not sufficient.  There are plenty of experts available at the show to help make this determination.  If there is a difference of opinion the show hosts will make the final decision as to the authenticity of an item.  Bullion patches are easily identifiable as they are made of gold or silver spring and will be considered the only exception to the reproduction rules.

Identification Cards

Department issued identification cards may be displayed but not sold, traded, or transferred under any circumstance.

Firearms

Firearms may only be displayed and will not be sold or traded.  Any firearm that is displayed will be unloaded and in a locked case from which it shall not be removed for any reason.

Sales Tax

It is each individual’s responsibility to collect and report sales tax as mandated by the State of Missouri and/or the federal government.  The National Show and show hosts are not responsible for the collecting of any sales tax from transactions occurring at this show.  This is a non-profit show and any proceeds (after expenses) will be donated to police relief organizations that help the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Penalties

All of these show rules and policies are required to be followed by each and every person attending the 2010 National Police Collectors Show including all table holders, table assistants, guests, family members, and walk through patrons.  The final decision on any dispute will be made by a show host and must be abided by or considered a violation of these rules.  Depending upon the severity of an infraction a show host may issue a warning, demand the removal of an item from the table or hall, eject the violator without refund of table fees or admission costs, or contact the local police authorities for criminal prosecution.  Any unethical, immoral, illegal, or unprofessional actions will be dealt with in the same manner. 

Acceptance of Show Rules

By attending this show as a table holder, table assistant, guest, family member, or walk through patron you acknowledge the acceptance of the above 2010 National Police Collectors Show Rules.  Several table reservations were made before these rules were published however those table holders and table assistants are still required to abide by these rules.