The Calgary Police Association has “reluctantly” ordered its members to remove patches of the fine blue line from their street uniforms as they declare victory in other areas of negotiations with the police commission, CBC has learned. News.
The Calgary Police Commission initially told officers to remove the patches starting March 31st. But the union, which represented more than 2,000 members, withdrew, sending patches and pins and issuing a directive to defy order.
CBC News has obtained a copy of an email sent to officials by the association’s president, Johnny Orr, in which it annuls the union’s recommendation to wear the controversial symbol after several town hall meetings and in consultation with the lawyers.
“We reluctantly recommend removing TBL [thin blue line] patches and comply [the commission’s] order, “wrote Orr.
“While we know that removing the patch is a hard pill to swallow, we believe you have achieved several ‘victories’.”
Dress uniforms, plainclothes officers
These “winnings” include the bonus for keeping patches on dress uniforms “to show the memory of the fallen on those occasions.” It is a recognition, says Orr, that the patch “is not a symbol of hatred.”
“We would be the first major police service in the country to do so, and in turn we would lead the way for all police services across the country to do so.”
The police association says that while it still “vehemently” disagrees with the commission’s decision regarding the patch, the grace period for enforcing compliance is running out.
“We firmly believe that if we continue to openly challenge order, there will be discipline,” said Orr, who explained that discipline is likely to lead to suspensions and other “difficulties” and could affect the patrol.
“Putting the safety of the Calgarins at risk, which none of us are willing to do,” the association’s president wrote.
The symbol has links to white nationalist movements
For many police officers, the patch of the Canadian flag with a thin blue line represents a way to honor officers who have died in the line of duty. It is especially touching in Calgary after the death in 2020 of sgt. Andrew Harnett.
But during its consultation process over the past year, the commission found that the patch evokes deep and negative feelings from some members of the community, after being linked to white nationalist movements and used in counter-protests against the movement. Black Lives Matter.
But the March order issued by the commission was more than a patch. It brought tensions to a boil between the commission and the police service.
In his letter to members, Orr said the union “felt strongly” that the commission’s political interference “was playing a role in the anti-police movement.”
“Some [commission] Members regularly evoked anti-police rhetoric and misinformation on social media, “Orr said of some members of the commission.
He worries members of the commission about slandering the police
Another benefit of the negotiations from the perspective of the police association is the development of a social media policy and a code of conduct policy for members of the commission, so that violators of the rules can be held accountable “if anyone slanders our members or the police profession in the future.” . “
The meetings that took place between the Calgary Police Service (CPS), the police association, the executive, the commission and the association of senior officers were productive, according to Orr, with the commission “ready to continue the dialogue to repair the relationship “.
Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra has been one of the most outspoken members of the commission against the patch, calling it a “known symbol of hatred” and suggesting that members who defied the commission’s order have a “sense of law”. “.
Orr said that during the consultation process of the last six weeks it became clear that the commission was “firm” in its direction to remove the symbol of everyday uniforms.
“It was non-negotiable from his perspective,” Orr said.
But he urged plainclothes officers to continue wearing the fine blue needle provided by the union.
Orr says the association will continue to work with the head and commission on the details, placement and size, which involve wearing the pins to the dress uniforms.
Shawn Cornett, chairman of the Calgary Police Commission, said at a news conference Wednesday that the commission’s policy for guards to remove the patch is as it stands.
“There are other considerations we can discuss later, but at this point, our concern is that members of the community interact with members of the guard and other members of the police service, who are not in a position where they feel uncomfortable. . “Cornett said.
“That is the underlying reason for our decision.”
In a separate statement to CBC News, Cornett said the commission’s decision on the patch “was by no means an expression of distrust in members of the Calgary police service” and that he did not question police carry the symbol. with good intentions.
At the same press conference, Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld said the service was hoping to reach a place of voluntary compliance in terms of patch removal and was pleased with the progress being made. they had produced during the last two weeks of discussions.
While Calgary City Council funds the CPS, the commission is the body in charge of overseeing the service.
The commission issues instructions to the service through the head, who is appointed by the commission and is responsible for day-to-day operations.