Thin Blue Line
What started as a phrase, became popularized as a graphic image, then unfurled as a thin blue line flag, has been around for a long time. The thin blue line is seen on police cars, lapel pins, coffee cups and COVID-19 masks. Only recently has the thin blue line flag sparked controversy.
Content within the Thin Blue Line topic lists frequently asked questions about the thin blue line, discusses what police officers should consider before displaying a thin blue line flag, and reviews some of the current discussions as to whether law enforcement agencies should display thin blue line imagery within their departments.
Following community criticism, two police chiefs announced they would be removing thin blue line imagery from display in their agencies
While officers and law enforcement supporters have embraced the image as a source of pride, others see the blue line flag as a banner of defiance
Departments and officers should factor in citizen concerns, the U.S. Flag Code and the First Amendment in their decision
The agency said the symbol has “unintentionally created an ongoing divide” between members of the community and police
Agencies across Utah and Nevada contributed to thin blue line flags that will be delivered to the wounded deputies
The town manager ordered the flags removed from all Danvers Fire Department apparatus
His homeowner’s association changed course after the National Police Association hired a high-profile attorney to represent him
The flag, given to the sheriff’s office by the Weymouth Police Department, was raised in a ceremony on Monday
Chief Glenn Olsson said the controversy over the fire department’s flying of the flag partly contributed to his decision to retire
Somerville’s mayor said the flags were part of “an unauthorized action"; the removal comes after a similar controversy in Hingham, Mass.
The retired veteran received a letter from the DMV, calling the request “offensive” and “threatening”
A citizen complaint about the flags prompted Hingham’s police and fire chiefs to ask for the flags’ removal
The Department of Transportation threatened the artist with summonses or worse if he doesn’t remove a blue line painted on a road divider
The flags were originally purchased and flown on the firetrucks to show support for a fallen police officer
About 500 people gathered along Route 347 on Long Island to show their support for law enforcement
“I’m not gonna let that little sticker be the divide among people in the community who will be afraid to come to us because of that,” Sheriff Chuck Atkins said
In an email, staff and officers were told they were prohibited from wearing the logo on any uniforms or agency-issued equipment
New Woodbridge residents are petitioning town leaders to remove the blue line running down Main Street
Chief Bill Scott told officers he considered the masks a “meaningful expression,” but worried that some may see them as “divisive and disrespectful”
The 14-foot-tall mural, which bears images of a lion, a badge and the Thin Blue Line flag, was commissioned to honor police work and boost morale
The wooden flags were given to each member of the department in thanks for the officers’ service
Officials say the flag will not be publicly shown because of its ‘divisive’ nature
The flags are a way to honor the memories of two Harford County sheriff’s deputies killed in the line of duty in 2016
The flag was removed after sparking concern that it could be sending a racially charged message
County has agreed to pay $100K to a corrections technician who sued after a co-worker pinned up the flag
The thin blue line flag was donated by State Capitol Police to honor law enforcement officers
The photo of Officer Natalie Corona waving the thin blue line flag has caused controversy
The bar said the flag has since been removed
A bill would prevent landlords, mobile-home parks, condo associations and the like from restricting the display of the flags
Sheriff Mike Reese said it was removed while they consider “whether or not it is appropriate to display any altered United States flag inside a county-owned facility”
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- Calif. parents, students protest removal of thin blue line flag from football field by school board
- Minn. chief apologizes after posting thin blue line image on PD’s Facebook page
- LAPD removes thin blue line flags from stations after receiving complaint
- Board stops football team from taking thin blue line flag onto the field
- U.K. police chief offers to personally buy thin blue line badges for officers