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How badge bending became a ritual among Vallejo police


For the last two decades, some members of the Vallejo Police Department have bent the tips of badges belonging to officers after they were involved in an on-duty shooting.

  •   22 min reads
How badge bending became a ritual among Vallejo police
Former Vallejo police Chief Andrew Bidou, Officer Matthew Komoda, Officer David McLaughlin, and Officer Kevin Barreto at an awards ceremony in 2016. Komoda and McLaughlin were confirmed in court testimony to have bent their badges following on-duty shootings. Photo: Vallejo Police Department.

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