Met Police ‘ban badge that honours officers killed in line of duty’

Police officers at London Pride had been reportedly been banned from carrying a badge commemorating fellow officers who had been killed within the line of obligation. It’s claimed the Thin Blue Line badge ban is due to issues over its alleged hyperlinks to ‘anti trans far-right teams’ within the US.

In the UK the badge – which incorporates a black and white Union Flag intersected by a skinny blue line – has historically been used to indicate assist for legislation enforcement. However, its American counterpart – that includes the Stars and Stripes – has change into politically charged, the place it has been utilized by counter-protesters at Black Lives Matter marches within the US.

The ban of the badge at London Pride was condemned by the mom of police constable Andrew Harper who was killed within the line of obligation in Berkshire in 2019.   His mom, Debbie Adlam, mentioned she thought of the badge to be a “universal memorial”.

Debbie Adlam mentioned: “Since we lost Andrew, we have considered the Thin Blue Line image to be a universal memorial to the loss of these officers. It concerns me that there are those who want to take (the badge) away.

“I hope that today is not the start of the end for the Thin Blue Line and all it means to us in the UK.”

The paper reported {that a} Met commander forward of Saturday’s parade suggested officers the image had been linked to anti-trans teams within the US.  “No ‘Thin Blue Line’ badges/patches are to be worn whilst policing this event,” the commander is reported to have mentioned.

“These have been linked to far-right and anti-trans groups in the US and this year’s Pride is focusing very much on the trans community. This is non-negotiable and supervisors are expected to ensure this is adhered to please.”

Asked in regards to the reported ban, a Metropolitan Police spokesman informed the Mail On Sunday that officers can solely put on insignia related to the National Police Memorial Day Trust, Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion charities.  A spokesperson for the power mentioned: “The Met’s Dress Code Policy sets out the official uniform police officers must adhere to whilst serving the public without fear or favour.”

“The policy has not changed. The policy makes exception for the work of the National Police Memorial Day Trust, Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion charities and permits officers to wear their insignia whilst on duty.”

Former dwelling secretary Priti Patel condemned the reported ban, writing on Twitter that it was “nonsense” from “vested interest groups imposing their false narratives and ludicrous demands on our hard-working officers”.

In November 2022, the Mayor of London’s spokesperson mentioned that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Uniform & Appearance Board was reviewing the carrying of the badge “to ensure the MPS approach remains consistent with other forces nationally”.

The spokesperson mentioned that the Thin Blue Line is “commonly accepted” as “demonstrating camaraderie” among the many police.  The spokesperson added on the time: “Subtle wearing of this imagery, eg: a Velcro patch or pin badge is not prohibited by the current MPS dress code.”