In 1984 four Policemen from Newcastle in New South Wales met through their mutual interest in the hobby of collecting Police badges. It became apparent to them that collecting insignia was popular with many Police, Fire, Ambulance and Emergency Services personnel. It was also realised that there was no organisation catering to their needs in Australia. Plans were made, over a five month period, to form the Police Insignia Collectors Association of Australia (PICAA).

A public meeting was held in June 1984 and the Association was formed.

The Association was officially constituted on June 10th, 1984 and became Incorporated on August 2nd, 1990.

Originally intended only for Australian collectors, the Association now has members throughout the world. Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Austria, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Macau, Sweden, Canada, Malta, Switzerland, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Thailand, England, Northern Ireland, Turkey, France, Norway, USA, Germany, Poland, Wales, Guernsey, Scotland, Zimbabwe, Holland, Slovakia

'Members' previously received a PICAA CD, the 'AUSTRALASIAN BADGE COLLECTOR', published four times per year, which contains interesting articles on various Australian and overseas Departments and their respective history and insignia. This is now disseminated by email or available for download from our website to active members.

'Members' also receive a current list of other members with whom they can correspond, insurance coverage and free entry to swap meets held by the Association.

PICAA is affiliated with similar Police Insignia Collectors Associations in Austria, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Northern Ireland, New Zealand & the USA.

The Association holds regular 'swap meets' where members get together and exchange insignia. Members often travel to other states and some have even traveled overseas in pursuit of badges. Occasionally public displays of members' collections are held in shopping centres & other venues. Approximately 80% of the members are serving or retired Police or Emergency Service Officers (Prison / Fire Brigades / Ambulance).

The remainder consist of various Law Enforcement Agency personnel and civilian collectors.

Past patrons of the Police Insignia Collectors Association of Australia include two State Governors and an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

From Police, Ambulance, Fire, Medical, Government, Security etc, the list goes on and on.

Here are just some of the items of memorabilia PICAA members collect: -

Badges, Cap Badges, Shoulder Patches, Belt Buckles, Buttons, Antique Hand Cuffs, Documents, Equipment, Headgear, Police History, Medals, Military Insignia, Photographs, Challenge Coins, Tie Tacs, Uniforms, Rank Insignia, Helmet Plates, Number Plates, Ephemera and much, much more...

Honorary Life Members:
Ken Astill (Dec.)
Grahame Beath
Graham West (Dec.)
Larry Morgan
Dennis Lewis (Dec.)
Mike Brown (Dec.)
Robert Beath
Brian Bennett (Dec.)
Graham Gibbs
Paul Britton
Paul Anley
David Aspland
Mike Austin
Rod Johns
John de Belle
John Fell (Dec.)
Matt Hayes
Mark Jenkin
Gerry Tyrrell