Calgary Police Commission directs Calgary Police Service to remove the thin blue line patch

Newsroom Calgary ^

[ameribbean expat]

Thin blue line patches worn by on-duty Calgary police officers will need to be replaced with a symbol that better reflects the values of Calgarians, following a decision by the Calgary Police Commission. The decision is aimed at ending the use of the controversial patch that has mixed meanings, while still ensuring there is a way for officers to visually honour each other and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

...the thin blue line also has a contentious history with roots in division, colonialism and racism, most recently being prominently displayed at counter protests against the Black Lives Matter movement.

*****

“People in our community have clearly expressed that the thin blue line patch on police officers makes them uncomfortable due to its history and current use by groups opposing racial equity. As policing evolves, so must its symbols. Discontinuing the use of a symbol that is undermining some Calgarians’ trust in the police is the right thing to do,” added Chair Cornett.

The Commission’s decision follows a year-long consultation process by the Calgary Police Service that included conversations with Calgary’s two police associations, the Service’s leadership, Beyond the Blue (an organization that supports local police families), the Service’s Anti-Racism Action Committee, and the Service’s Community Advisory Boards. Support for the positive things the thin blue line represents was unanimous, while some participants raised concerns about the impact of the symbol’s alternate meanings in the community.

[Demiurge2]

“the thin blue line also has a contentious history with roots in division, colonialism and racism...”
And you thought US reporters were biased.

[dljordan]

“the Service’s Anti-Racism Action Committee”

Gotta have that.

[EastTexasTraveler]

“Will probably be replaced with a “BLM” symbol!”

That’s what I was thinking.