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Abrassard orarmlet is anarmband or piece of cloth or other material worn around the upper arm; the term typically refers to an item of uniform worn as part ofmilitary uniform or bypolice or otheruniformed persons. Unit, role, rank badges or otherinsignia are carried on it instead of being stitched into the actual clothing. The brassard, when spread out, may be roughly rectangular in shape, where it is worn merely around the arm; it may also be a roughly triangular shape, in which case the brassard is also attached to ashoulder strap. The term is originally French, deriving frombras meaning "arm".
Brassards are also used with the uniforms of organizations which are not military, but which are influenced by and styled upon the military, such as police, emergency services, volunteer services, or militaristic societies and political parties.
A brassard is often used:
Brassard (also "brassart" or "brasset") is also used to refer to pieces ofarmour worn to cover the entire arm (encompassingvambrace,rerebrace, and possibly acouter).
However off-duty officers will only be allowed to carry their guns under certain conditions, firstly they must have the red "Police" armband that is normally worn by plain clothes offices to avoid confusion.
