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Photo from Mail Tribune files Medford police are sporting a new badge, at right. Star badges, left, which have been in use for more than 30 years, give way to the shield style, which police say is more in keeping with city departments. Medford police put on their new shields If you think Medford police officers look a bit different, you're right. Medford officers, detectives and administrators are sporting shield badges after more than 30 years of wearing seven-pointed star badges. The department switched to the new badges earlier this month. A little more than a year ago, officers came to police department administrators and wanted to change to shields. The shield badges are traditionally worn by city departments, while stars are traditionally worn by sheriff's departments. The badges were approved in the city's budget this year, and the department ordered 100 badges at $50 apiece. But the star is still all around the police department. The seven-pointed star is emblazoned on the department's stationery and cars, as well as some police clothing. The department will replace the stationery and the clothing as it's used or worn out, said Medford police Deputy Chief Tom Lavine. "It's going to be a long time before we're totally phased out of the stars," Lavine said. The stars on the cars -- which are decals -- will be replaced as new vehicles are purchased. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA