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, Saint John and within the RCMP.

Citizens respond

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. 

"We need the Calgary police Service, but we need them to understand you only have authority if we choose to continue to let you have it."

Calgarian Dominic Shaw also addressed the commission. Shaw, who is mixed race and uses a wheelchair, said he has faced routine assaults in Calgary. 

"Normally assaults on me, sucker punches and slurs, are about five or six a year," said Shaw.  

He added that these assaults "weren't provoked" and he knows they were racially motivated because they were accompanied by racial slurs.

Shaw said that when he sees contentious symbols such as the thin blue line, memories of these assaults surface.

He acknowledged that while he can respect the original intention behind the patch, its meaning has now changed.

"It's very hard to describe the feeling that it leaves me with," said Shaw. "I think the word I'm looking for is worthless."

Shaw petitioned the police service to create a new symbol in its place, one that all Calgarians could respect. 

Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld said the creation of a new symbol to replace the thin blue line patch was an interesting proposition, but that he suspects agreeing on an image could be difficult. 

Despite this, Neufeld said he felt optimistic that a solution to the issue would be found in the coming weeks. 

"This has turned into a significant conflict for sure, but everybody is willing to come to the table to identify the issues and move forward."