Trivia: The word Copper...

[wisardd1]

Does not refer to the shiny copper buttons worn by police in the early 1900s, and it did not gain its popularity to describe a "Constable on Patrol", Instead it refers to the 18th Century meaning, "to seize or arrest! Other ways this term is still used today is to "cop a plea", "cop a buzz", and even to "cop out!

[SimonBirch]

Badges use to be made from copper

[samsigsauer]

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/81451/what-is-the-origin-of-the-word-copper-for-referring-to-a-police-officer

[FamilyProtector]

I remember learning that the name came from early organized English law enforcement, where the officer would carry wooden staffs that had copper slats on the end that could be used for protection and when shook would make a loud clapping sound. The clapping sound meant an officer needed help and it would be heard by others officers working the same area. Also the same sound was made when the officers were running to help, this was rumored to have coined the phrase "The Coppers are coming!" when suspect would hear them. This is just the explanation I got when I was a Kiddo.

[TKM]

http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/cop.asp

[wisardd1]

Yep!

[wisardd1]

In case anyone missed this thread