Police association stands by decision to defy commission order to remove Thin Blue Line patch

The union representing over 2,000 Calgary police officers is defending its decision to defy the police commission's order to remove thin blue line patches from uniforms. 

During a Calgary Police Commission meeting on Wednesday, John Orr, president of the Calgary Police Association (CPA), said the refusal to obey the commission's ruling was not made lightly. 

"To disregard a direction from a senior officer is an extremely rare and uncomfortable step to take, but it's one our members felt they needed to do to take a stand in this case." 

Orr said the patch is worn in remembrance of officers who have died in the line of duty, but also represents police camaraderie and the force's commitment to the community they serve. 

"To have some known leaders publicly call [the thin blue line patch] a hate symbol is devastating to our members and their morale," said Orr. 

Shawn Cornett, chair of the Calgary Police Commission, said it was concerning that a lawful direction was being ignored by officers, and that accountability measures would have to be taken if non-compliance continues. 

Last year, the police commission launched a review of the patch's use by officers. Cornett said that the commission had made it clear as early as last fall that it was not in support of the use of the thin blue line patch. 

"The decision was made quite a number of months before, we've been working on this issue for upwards of a year," she Cornett.

Cornett pointed out that the thin blue line patch has already been ordered off the uniforms of officers in Edmonton, Victoria, Ottawa, Toronto, St. John and within the RCMP.

The commission told officers that they would no longer be able to wear the thin blue line patch on their uniforms beginning March 31. In response, the CPA told its members to defy the commission's order and continue to wear the patch.

As a result, Calgary police have delayed the requirement for officers to remove the patch by two weeks.

Michael Bates, with the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association in Calgary, addressed the commission and Calgary Police Service on Wednesday. 

Bates noted that police officers are compelled to obey the direction of the commission under the police act, and that failure to do so would erode public trust. 

"Any Calgary police officer who today approaches a citizen with a thin blue line patch affixed to their uniform risks communicating directly to that citizen that he or she disrespect the law, holds themselves above it and will place their personal beliefs ahead of the justice system," said Bates.