The emblem crafted by inmates includes the shape of a pig hidden as one of the cow's spots (PHOTO: MONTPELIER P.D. / February 2, 2012) |
MONTPELIER, VT - Inmates working at a Vermont correctional unit's print shop managed to sneak a prank image of a pig into a state police crest.
The image is emblazoned on police cars, and 30 cruisers sported the design for the last year.
The official crest depicts a spotted cow against a background of snowy mountains. But the inmates' version featured one of the cow's spots shaped like a pig in an apparent reference to the pejorative word for police.
Vermont contracts with correctional facilities employing prisoners to make some print products, including the cruiser decals. Police said someone who works at the print shop changed the emblem from the officially sanctioned design.
A police employee noticed the prank on Wednesday and reported it. Police said the 60 16-inch door decals would be removed as soon as possible.
"While some may find humor in the decal modifications, the joke unfortunately comes at the expense of the taxpayers," Police Major Bill Sheets said in a statement.
The image is emblazoned on police cars, and 30 cruisers sported the design for the last year.
The official crest depicts a spotted cow against a background of snowy mountains. But the inmates' version featured one of the cow's spots shaped like a pig in an apparent reference to the pejorative word for police.
Vermont contracts with correctional facilities employing prisoners to make some print products, including the cruiser decals. Police said someone who works at the print shop changed the emblem from the officially sanctioned design.
A police employee noticed the prank on Wednesday and reported it. Police said the 60 16-inch door decals would be removed as soon as possible.
"While some may find humor in the decal modifications, the joke unfortunately comes at the expense of the taxpayers," Police Major Bill Sheets said in a statement.
