A digital image of the police patch of the Durham, North Carolina, Police Department.

The eagle depicted on the Durham, North Carolina, Police Department patch symbolizes America and the freedom, liberty, and rights officers are sworn to protect. In its right claw, the eagle grasps an olive branch to convey that peace is the ultimate goal. Three arrows held in its left claw represent the past, present, and future. These arrows are symbolic of the skillful defense police officers employ to preserve peace. In the center of the eagle’s body, a shield features Durham’s “City of Medicine” emblem. The colors dark blue, red, gold, and white signify law enforcement, courage, authority, and purity respectively.