Saskatoon police not allowed to wear 'Thin Blue Line' patch
Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) officers are not permitted to wear Thin Blue Line patches, according to an SPS report to the Board of Police Commissioners.
Only symbols permitted by Saskatoon Police Policy or the regulations of The Municipal Police Clothing and Rank Regulations, 1991 are authorized to be on officers' uniforms, with exceptions granted for special ceremonies or nationally recognized days, the report says.
"The Thin Blue Line patch is not one of those symbols permitted to be on the uniform."
The report came after a member of the public became concerned after he witnessed some officers wearing a patch that features a blue line through a Canadian flag — modelled after a similar logo used in the U.S.
"This imagery, while originally intended to display solidarity with and among law enforcement has become a partisan symbol of opposition to the Black Lives Matter Movement," Graham MacDonald wrote in a January email to the board.
"By wearing it while on duty, officers are making a political statement, compromising their ability to enforce the law without bias."
At the board's January meeting, SPS Chief Troy Cooper said the patches are not a "purposeful" political statement if any officers were choosing to wear them.
The Thin Blue Line patch has its roots in 19th Century when the British infantry held the "thin red line" against the Russians in the Crimean War, according to the report.
In the 1950s, the blue line was adopted by law enforcement to represent their courage and sacrifice while protecting the American people. It has been in the Canadian policing context since the mid-1990s. The Thin Blue Line flag itself was created and marketed in 2014, the report said.
"Controversy over the meaning of the symbol began in 2015 in the U.K., in response to cutbacks to police budgets. In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd in the US, Black Lives Matter and Defund movements created calls for police reform. Unfortunately, this led to counter
movements such as Blue Lives Matter, which although it may have been created as a response to the murder of police officers in New York, it highlights a sometimes polarizing relationship between the police and the communities we serve," the report said.
"In recent years, extremist groups have co-opted symbols for use in their protests/movements such as the Canadian flag turned upside down, Pride flag, Indigenous flags, Every Child Matters, the Thin Blue Line, and other symbols. The highjacking of these symbols for use other than their intended purpose is offensive to every citizen who knows their true meaning.
"Police officers in Canada who believe the symbol shows support for other officers including those suffering from PTSD would be saddened to learn other groups have misappropriated the Thin Blue Line flag, that it can represent a society that is quite dystopian, and that for some
people, it can be divisive between the police and the communities we serve," the report said.
Other police forces in Canada are also dealing with the use of the patch.
In March, the Calgary Police Commission issued a directive for officers to stop using the patch while on duty, citing the symbol's "contentious history with roots in division, colonialism and racism." But the officers' union told members to flout the directive, resulting in the Calgary Police Service pausing the requirement.
The RCMP also issued a directive against the insignia in 2020, opening a rift with the National Police Federation – the union representing nearly 20,000 Mounties – which said the thin blue line represents the role officers play “providing a barrier between social order and chaos."
Last month the Vancouver police chief volunteered to prepare a report on the thin blue line patches, including their history and "misunderstanding or misappropriation," for a future meeting.
- With CTV News files
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.