"Being down to Number 3 Badge Number was about as close as one get's to being the Chief doesn't it ? "
Not really. As was stated elsewhere, I was the third senior
Patrolman. Sgts, Lts, and Capts didn't have badge numbers. Senority only counted for vacation time and shift assignment (and sometimes that didn't matter either).
I can't say about what other departments do or did.
My .32 Regulation Police wears these grips:
