Badges of Unity is an ongoing outreach effort by The Fargo Police Department and its community partners to connect youth with different activities and organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley. The goal of Badges of Unity is to foster a safer and brighter Fargo by uniting the community through trusting relationships with the public and young people.
Since 2017, the Badges of Unity Fund has been receiving donations from residents and businesses, and the FPD has used those donations for youth programming and other efforts to build trust in the community. Those efforts will continue as Badges of Unity now expands opportunities to also utilize donations to support FPD team members through staff wellness initiatives, activities, events, training, equipment and other projects. The foundation also gives donors an option to assist the department with specific needs in a direct way.
One way to contribute to the Badges of Unity Fund is through an online store created to honor Fargo Police Department Officer Jake Wallin, who sacrificed his life in service to his community on July 14, 2023. The online store has various memorial items available for purchase at FargoPolice.com/WeAreFargoPD. All proceeds will be donated to the Badges of Unity Fund. These funds will help cover expenses for the Wallin Family and FPD staff to travel to National Police Week in Washington, D.C., in May 2024. During that week, Officer Wallin's sacrifice will forever be memorialized when his name is inscribed onto the National Law Enforcement Memorial.