You apparently don't have to be an officer at one of the local sheriff's offices to get a patch emblazoned with that department's seal.

A winning bid on eBay is all that's needed, which concerns area law enforcers.

As of Saturday, the number of local sheriff's office patches for sale on the online bidding site was seven for Columbia County, three for Richmond County and one for Aiken County, with prices ranging from a "buy it now" cost of $2 to a starting bid of $5.

Lt. Troy Elwell, of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, said his department tries to stop the sale of such items because they could be used to impersonate an officer.

"We try to control our patches," he said. "We don't like for them to be in the public's hand just for that reason."

Lt. Elwell said his department occasionally checks eBay to see if someone is selling an Aiken County patch, adding that they typically have an old seal on them. He said he wasn't aware of the most recent patch listed on eBay, which he said sounded like it might be a current design. He said he would attempt to contact the seller and ask for it to be removed.

Richmond County sheriff's Col. Gary Powell said his department also monitors Web sites that might sell items that bear the seal of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

"We do discourage that," he said. "... We don't want anybody out there impersonating a police officer."

Col. Powell said that in the past people have written the sheriff's office asking for patches, giving all sorts of reasons why.

"We get them (stating) 'I'm a Boy Scout and I've been collecting patches for 20 years,' " Col. Powell said.

He said he's since stopped mailing patches to people who request them for collections. He said he'll give one only to other sheriff's office officials if they come in person.

Lt. Elwell said his department has a similar procedure.

Steven Fishman, the owner of Sidney's Department Store and Uniforms Inc., which sells police patches, badges and uniforms, said he has a specific sale policy.

"I don't sell anything that says police, constable, sheriff, deputy, marshal to anyone unless they have credentials," he said.

Col. Powell said that in a time of terrorism concerns, keeping a closer watch on sheriff's office items is all the more important.

In April, authorities say, an 18-year-old Ridge Spring, S.C., man attended the Mayor's Masters Reception in Augusta wearing black fatigue pants, combat boots and a black shirt with the word "Police" on the front and back. He also was accused of carrying handcuffs, pepper spray and a 9 mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition.

According to the Web site, eBay's policy is to restrict the sale of police badges or other identification. Exceptions include when a law enforcement agency approves in writing the item's sale and the seller posts a copy of that letter with a contact.

A phone message left for a representative of eBay had not been returned by Saturday.

Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 823-3338 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com