Metropolitan Police Says Dress Code ‘has not Changed’ and Thin Blue Line Badge Unapproved

But Essex Police chief says symbol is allowed in his force

People take part in the Pride in London parade in Piccadilly Circus, central London on July 1, 2023. PA

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed the Thin Blue Line badge—a monochrome union jack with a blue line running through the middle, worn to commemorate those officers who have been killed in the line of duty—was not on a list of approved insignia for police officers in London.

It comes after the Mail on Sunday reported a commander told officers policing the Pride event in central London the badges were specifically banned because of alleged links to far-right groups in the United States.

The paper said the commander told officers policing Pride—an annual event attended by thousands of members of the LGBT community—the Thin Blue Line badges and patches were not to be worn and added: “These have been linked to far-right and anti-trans groups in the United States 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.”

Chris Hobbs, a retired Metropolitan Police officer, told The Epoch Times: “In my view, this was a poor decision and, having been there observing what was a brilliant event, I really don’t think the wearing of the patch would even have been noticed by the revellers.”

He said: “If the bosses still believed it was an issue, then they should have stressed that this was a one-off or, as the storm clouds gathered, issued a clarification.”

Concern ban ‘Could Become Permanent’

“Even now there will be concerns that this ban could become permanent which would be another huge blow to what’s left of morale,” Hobbs added.

The chief constable of Essex Police, B. J. Harrington, posted a photograph of a Thin Blue Line patch on his uniform and wrote on Twitter: “This is the front of my tac vest so if people want to wear it in Essex Police it is allowed. Shows pride in our nation and remembrance of those in policing who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving communities.”

The former home secretary, Priti Patel, wrote on Twitter: “The police deserve our gratitude and respect, rather than this nonsense ... from vested interest groups imposing their false narratives and ludicrous demands on our hard-working officers.”

In a statement sent by email, the Metropolitan Police spokesman told The Epoch Times: “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 exceptions 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.”

A demonstrator holds a 'Thin Blue Line' flag in support of law enforcement at a protest in St. Paul, Minn., on June 27, 2020. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

The term “thin blue line” refers to the idea there is a thin line between law and order and anarchy, according to former Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Parker.

In the United States, the country’s flag is turned black and white and the blue line represents one of the stripes, while in Canada the badge is a white maple leaf on a black background, with a blue line running through it.

The flag is generally viewed as pro-police but when the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests began in 2020 it was perceived by some BLM activists as being more than just supporting law enforcement.

Symbol Banned in Los Angeles and Vancouver

In January the chief of police in Los Angeles, Michel Moore, ordered the removal of a Thin Blue Line flag from a police station lobby because of concerns about “extremist groups” allegedly “co-opting” the flags.

A week later, after an official review prompted by a complaint, the Vancouver Police Board determined the Thin Blue Line patch cannot be worn by uniformed, on-duty police officers in the Canadian city, after hearing some members of the public associated the symbol with “racism” and “colonialism.”

In November 2022, the mayor of London’s spokesperson said the Metropolitan Police Service Uniform and Appearance Board was reviewing the wearing of the badge.

They said the Thin Blue Line badge was “commonly accepted” as “demonstrating camaraderie” among police officers.

PA Media contributed to this report.