LETTER: Police should wear flag badges
Tuesday 4th August 2009, 7:00AM BST.
LETTER: Met police chiefs have caved in on a ban at Heathrow Airport telling officers they cannot wear a Union Jack lapel badge in support of our troops? It seems “someone” complained it was “offensive”?
Hello? I was under the impression this was the United Kingdom and the Union Jack was our flag!
If our police were banned from wearing our country’s national flag on their uniform it would be nothing less than shameful.
Like many I would like to know the name of this someone that complained and why they think they have the right to challenge what our police can and cannot wear.
It sounds more like another invasion of the political correctness brigade and they should be put firmly in their place.
This is Britain, we have the right to wear and display our nation flag any place and any time we wish to. If someone finds it offensive then maybe they should move to a less offensive country, preferably a very long way from our shores.
Pride in our country, its flag, its monarchy and its tradition is what makes us who we are . . . no-one is forced to come here, stay here, or visit here.
They have the option to go elsewhere and that includes the political correctness brigade with nothing better to do than try to interfere with our way of life. Gawd, give a small mind a bit of power and they think they are Alexander the Great!
Val Duncan
Wellington
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
In relation to Val’s letter, spot on!
For too long now this ridiculous situation has gone on for, it’s time for the people of the UK to make a stand against this political correctness that has gone way too far!
Report abuse
What a load of tosh. Where does Val Duncan source his facts?
No-one complained that it was offessive.
There is merely a standard policy that as the uniform represents the force, then no personal badging or ensignia may be displayed as it may not represent the force – simple!
In this case, the force made an exception after considering the merits of the case upon a request to do so.
Will Mr Duncan be writing in to complain that the armed forces can not wear badges to show there support for police officers?
And how about gay rights badges? race rights badges? disability rights badges? CND badges? Help the Aged badges……….
And would Mr Duncan allow or be allowed to wear a badge in his workplace, supporting a political party that has been elected to the European Parliment by democratic means, such as the BNP?
Report abuse
Well said Val. Fly the flag with pride!!! And if someone there doesnt like it do as Val said go somewhere else!!
Report abuse
A friend of mine who is still in the police wears a small remembrance poppy pin badge on his uniform – I know he and some of his colleagues were told locally not to wear them as they were not ‘official police attire’ – I believe their answer was a not so polite version of ‘how many newspapers would you like us to call ??’ – in France every public building proudly flies the tricolour national flag – why are we so afraid to fly the Union Jack or St Georges cross ????
Report abuse
I live in Spain,thankfully, and both the Local and National Police where the Spanish Colours.
More importantly the also wear guns and believe me you don’t argue or cheek a policeman carrying a gun.
Security guards whether in a shop, bank or security van, carry trungeons and handcuffs.
Never seen the Police or securty guards use any of their tools but they ball command more respect that policeman with funny hats back home.
Report abuse
PC CLAP TRAP …. It is the nations flag and as our police force they should wear it. As for wearing badges for cnd, gay rights etc etc of course not those are lifestyle choices and political views the flag is our national flag.
Report abuse
Andrew: The badge in question is merely a ‘lifestyle’ choice. It shows support of military personell who choose such a career and does not support the war or any nationalistic policies, hence the Union Jack is questinable in these circumstances.
Can you imagine policemen wearing Union Jacks to support the British Miners doing a good job in arduous conditions while the miners strike was on?
This is not a nationalistic issue, its a lifestyle choice issue, and yet again a national flag has been hi-jacked, only its not the George Cross this time.
A badge with say a bayonet and grenade would have been more appropriate as it would have represented the tools of the trade that is being supported, rather than a nationalistic emblem which can be confused with supporting nationalistic views – or was that the intention?
Report abuse
I totally agree with you Lucy W, the ones for it have obviously never served in a disciplined, uniformed body and have no ides what the whole ethos or culture is like in such a body. As for Shropsman, I speak as someone who knows, if any officer told some of the people that I know who were senior Police Officers that the newspapers would be interested, he would find himself/herself quickly on a disciplinary charge and be light in his monthly salary a short time down the line having been “fined” for insolence/insubordination. These “little” badges of whatever and for whatever should not be allowed. The Police are scruffy enough without them.
Report abuse
I always worry when I read about various people wearing or waving national flags. A flag signifies a line on a map – but we are all human beings on planet earth.
The celebration of a nationality is a racial matter – how can we ever hope to build a better society in our world when we thrust our race and nationality into the faces of other nationalities?
The USA are a flag-waving and flag-wearing country – why would we want to ape their jingoistic rationale?
Report abuse
I heard a representative of the Police Federation and someone from the ‘Stop the War coalition’ debating this on Radio 4 the other day.
The Police Federation Rep made the point that police in his area had worn ribbons to support campaigns to raise money for AIDS awareness, for breast cancer and a number of other good causes. He also made the perfectly valid point that supporting the troops is not the same thing as supporting the war. It’s perfectly acceptable to regard the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as dubious political adventures, whilst at the same time supporting those who are ordered to be there and wishing them a safe and speedy return.
The ‘Stop the War’ chap couln’t seem to make this differentiation, and frankly made a bit of a fool of himself.
I can understand why some are a little wary of our national flag – it has been somewhat sullied in recent years by its association with football hooligans, and right-wing ‘hate’ political parties.
Whilst I wouldn’t want to see our police officers festooned with badges like some 1970′s rock fan, I don’t see any harm in a discrete national flag as a badge – perhaps it will go some way towards rehabilitating our flag?
Report abuse
It’s not just about the police in the airport wearing the Union Jack. This conversation was on BBC Shropshire the other week with Jim Hawkins.
It’s about people in this country being able to express their opinions about the country they live in without the PC brigade saying it’s unfair to the European worker who chose to come to this country to work.
People who are offended can’t be British, therefore they are visitors in this country and should respect our views and opinions.
Just because they don’t agree with something doesn’t mean we have to give up our freedoms to please the rest of the world!
Report abuse
And extremists will continue to hijack our best loved symbols for their own warped take on nationalism as long as airy fairy Guardianistas witter on about wearing any type of symbol or displaying any kind of pride in one’s country as being somehow inherently abhorrent. I wish they would go off to some less fortunate country so that they might learn more about their very great fortune of birth and stop resenting ordinary people for simply showing a little overt patriotism. Strewth!
Report abuse
This “habit” of wearing small badges, usually on the ties of Police uniform started at the height of the Northern Ireland troubles when the then RUC brought out a badge which was then taken up by mainland forces and were actually sold in stations over here. ACPO at the time turned a blind eye because of it’s affinity with and origins in the RUC. Since then the practice seems to take in all sorts of badges and it should be stopped. An example of direct orders from Senior officers and recalcitrant officers wearing badges can be quoted from 1970. County forces including Salop amalgamated into West Mercia in 1967. The only force out of those that amalgamated, to wear a different appearance were Worcestershire who’s officers wore a small badge on their lapels depicting a shield and the county coat of arms. On amalgamation, a standardised uniform was brought out for the new force and Worcester officers were ordered to remove them. In 1970 the Deputy Chief Constable visited a station and found a Constable still wearing the badge which he had been told to remove, 3 years before. The DCC told a Sergeant to order the PC to remove it immediately, the Sgt did so, the PC made excuses and refused to do so. Result, fined two days pay and posted to a far distant station. The Chief Inspector in charge of the Station was also reprimanded for allowing the officer to wear the badge.
Difference, in those days, the Police were smart, dignified (mainly) and proud of doing a good job with public satisfaction being uppermost in their minds. Today, we have a scruffy, indifferent, slovenly, barely disciplined group (I won’t call them a service or a force)who’s last concern is the public that they are supposed to serve.
National flag on their uniform, yes, no objection if it were worn as a proper badge in a proper place, ie upper arm or left chest and all officers wore the badge. Where the objection comes in is where each officer pleases himself what to wear, were to wear it and when.
Report abuse
Peter: I don’t mind a national flag on police officers uniforms, if it is merely links to the fact that he is a UK policeman, but I doubt that Johnny Foreigner can’t regognise a British Bobby when he sees one.
But this flag does not represent the nation the officer serves. It is a confusing flag that is discretionery and worn by officers who wish to express their message of good wishes to military personel.
I have no wish to stop such an expression, but could they not write a letter or send a post card?
There are elements who don’t support the troops at a personal level, and should an individual police officer’s personal view be expressed on a public uniform creating mistrust within sectors of the community that badly need better relationship building?
Report abuse
Over recent years the standard of dress of police staff has fallen to new lows.
You see them sporting wristbands, ribbons and badges for the latest cause celebre, seems even pierced noses,eyebrows and tongues are readily accepted by the heirarchy.
Years ago get assaulted or burgled and an officer dressed like a guardsman would appear or a detective in a suit, nowadays t-shirts and ripped jeans seem the norm for the some.
If you want to show solidarity for the country just look at the police crest, it carries the Queens crown on it.
Report abuse
Lucy, Any one who does not support our troops in my view is unpatriotic . Your advice of a badge with bayonet and grenade is the extreme why not a badge with a soldier on it ?.The soldiers who are doing the job do not complain they do the job they chose to do, many at a pretty poor salary and unlike many especially teachers and a few other well known moaning proffesions should take note they do not complain about pay and conditions every five minutes etc etc .
As for the flag being hijacked, I disagree the bnp use it and every other party can also use the flag as uk parties and citizens we all have the right to wave the union flag.I also think the union flag should be on the arm of every police officer they are the police force of the united kingdom. Caving in to the pc brigade is getting beyond a joke, i do not care about any one person or any other country until my own country men are looked after and my own country is looked after UK FIRST every one else second that is the view of the USA and australia their own come first.
Report abuse
Tom, this IS about the police uniform that represents the state law enforcement, and whether or not is should be adorned with personal messages that do not represent the state law enforcement views.
Ok so if you want to widen the debate with foreigners and freedom of expression, take Germany, they would be arrested for wearing a Nazi uniform and/or making a Nazi salute.
I took my german pal up Scaw Fell and had my photo taken doing a Nazi salute on the summit cairn. By the glares I got, I didn’t feel very free to express myself.
Wheras we were celebrating the freedom that this country has, rather than facsism.
Are you suggesting that police officers can freely make Nazi salutes in uniform if they feel so inclined to express themselves that way? Its not an offense in the UK!
No – when wearing the uniform, the uniform represents the police, NOT what they may wish to personally express.
Report abuse
Is there any chance that – just once – we can stick to the original point and not bring the Nazis into the debate? The subject is the police and badges.
Report abuse
Andrew, not supporting our troops could also be a sign of a free-thinker. You may see them as the big-bad wolf, but they would see you as another sheep in the fold.
By all means have a soldier on the badge – but this badge doesn’t.
And the soldiers do complain, not enought body armour, helicopters etc – you should widen your media intake beyond the Beano.
On a brighter note, we do agree that the pc-brigade are a joke and there’s nothing wrong with self-interest, along as its not short sighted.
Report abuse
During the 1970s my other half was walking down a street in Bournville Birmingham when he was shot with an air rifle in the thigh. Obviously he was not well pleased and was proceeding towards Bournville Police Station to report the incident when he saw the laughing constables who had shot him drive through the gates of the station.
Needless to say he could see little point in making a complaint after that!
I knew a constable also in the 1970s who found the job more bearable smoking weed in his room above the station at Kings Heath!
A friend at work in the 1980s was married to a policeman and had been in the force herself originally but did not stay as she felt it was not a good place to work as a woman.
My sister in laws partner was an inspector at the time of the miner’s strikes and he left to become a physics teacher because of the way he felt the force was used as a private army by Mrs Thatcher.
IMO we have a more answerable police force today but it is and will always be a job working with some of the worst aspects of society but also a job that can lead to some individuals abusing the power of their position.
Report abuse
Andrew, I was merely pointing out that when in a uniform representing a public office, it must do that.
Can you imagine Virgin cabin staff wearing badges saying “I love Ryan Air” as a right to freedom of expression.
There is a limit, and a very clear one when wearing a uniform of office.
Report abuse
There seems to be a bit of confusion here! ……… An Officer of the Law in the UK wears a “Uniform” and as far as I am concerned that word means “All The Same”! …… the only exceptions would be token of rank, regalia, (Medals worn at ceremonial occasions) and emblems to denote regions! …….. badges, buttons, and other adornments to indicate an individuals “opinions or personal preferences” ……. absolutely forbidden! ………
Report abuse
From what I’ve seen there are a great number of officers who seem to push acceptable appearances to a new low.
There was a time when tattoos were kept well out of sight, now you see them along with designer jeans and cut off tee-shirts, my old chief supt would be turning in his grave if he saw what they turn up for work in, it seems as though the senior officers these days have limited control over their staff. The first level of discipline is self discipline; it seems sadly lacking at present.
Officers are supposed to wear uniform, or to make it easy that means one form, everybody is the same, the force standard decrees what badges they should wear as part of their uniform, the only addition should be medal ribbons, no ribbons for breast cancer, find Madeline or gay pride, wristbands for prostate cancer, if they want to support those causes do it in their own time, I saw an officer last week there were many different colours adorning their clothing and body.
Let’s get back to the boys and girls in blue not something that looks like it went past an explosion at the Dulux factory.
Report abuse
But doesn’t Virgin carry the Union Jack on it’s planes anyway?
This is about beliefs. You wouldn’t say to someone that they couldn’t wear a cross or even a turbin, this is no different.
Report abuse
Lucy, you said:-
“No – when wearing the uniform, the uniform represents the police, NOT what they may wish to personally express.”
I utterly agree, this sums it up as it should be. It is also about the mind-set that allows individual officers the right to wear unofficial adornments on their uniform.
Report abuse
Lucy, I think your view that soldiers complain is a little over the top , i think you will find not on mass they do not and it has been high ranking officers who have spoken out and so they should to safe guard their troops who are their for their country , lets face it if some civil servant hasnt got enough pencils to sharpen or a teachers pay is not high enough we hear it a lot louder and more frequently and oddly something is done about it. As for your idea of a free thinker in the case of your countrys troops its just an excuse for being unpatriotic.Also as for the police uniform the flag of the country they serve should be on it, You keep mentioning private companies and individuals the police are not that they are the government of the days servants.
Report abuse
I suppose the acid test will be when someone with forefathers from other countries but born here insist on wearing their national flag,and then turn up at GCHQ with their hammer and sickle proudly worn.
Report abuse
Supporting the troops in the various prongs of the West’s “war of terror” is not patriotic and it is not part of the international world that I want to live in. The misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan bring great danger of terrorist acts in revenge for the atrocities perpetrated in those countries, so how is it good for people in the UK at all?
At work, I couldn’t wear a badge either in favour of troops being sent to war or against it – so why should the police do so?
Report abuse
Get rid of the lapel badges and have a proper union jack badge on the uniform like our soldiers wear, if there is one place that the police should have a national badge on their uniform it is at the entry points into the UK.
Report abuse
An emblem of one’s national flag is ‘personal’? No it isn’t. I think you are barking up the wrong tree.
Report abuse
I live in British Columbia Canada and our police (RCMP) and city police have our flag (Maple Leaf) and in the USA all the cops wear the stars and stripes. We in British Columbia have the Union Jack on our lisense Plates (number plates)
so to the police.. go ahead and wear the pin with pride
Report abuse
Stuart – my apologies, somewhere amongst my ranting typing I ommitted (or so it seems, i’m sure I typed it ..) that the reference to the poppy pin badges was in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday, a slightly different issue I’m sure you’d agree to wearing badges all year round !!!.
That said, police uniform has been dumbed down – how can we expect the men and women of the front line to not look scruffy when they are told by the government to wear a cheap unlined fleece and what looks like nylon polo shirts ???? maybe the old tunic wasn’t practical in modern day policing but I bet that given the challenge some of our brighter designers could easily come up with a more smart, practical and respectful uniform. As for CID officers in scruffy ripped jeans and T-Shirts, unless there is a specific reason why not, get them in a proper suit, they are supposed to deal with the most serious matters, make them act like it.
As for the flag, I still maintain, every public building, school etc should fly the Union jack and/or English, Welsh or Scottish flag as appropriate with pride and why shouldn’t police uniforms incorporate both the flag and crown – all officers are servants of the Queen after all.
Report abuse
Tom S said:”You wouldn’t say to someone that they couldn’t wear a cross or even a turbin, this is no different.”
Yes I would say that if the police force did not have any religious affiliation then personal expressions of religion should be exempt.
NeathShrew said:”At work, I couldn’t wear a badge either in favour of troops being sent to war or against it – so why should the police do so?
You raise an interesting point, are the police equally allowed to wear a badge to show that they do not support our trops? Now lets see what the advocates of freedom of expression have to say about that.
Neil, the debate isn’t about wearing a national flag on a uniform, its about expressing support for a particular sector of workforce, namely the armed forces serving in combat zones.
Report abuse
I wouldn’t object to the Union Flag becoming part of police uniform. At the same time it would perhaps be best to disallow political parties (even the reputable ones) from using it at all.
Perhaps poppies are the only appropriate addition to the uniform after all?
Report abuse
At last we are getting some comments from people who know what a uniform is for, they are not anti Britain, anti Union Jack or anti patriotism they just understand that “uniforms” are just that and are not intended for different variations depending on the whim of individuals.
And I will differ with Neil Midgley in a small respect. The RCMP uniformed officers are some of the smartest and most highly disciplined in the world, and in it’s heyday, were only next to the British South Africa Police of Rhodesia. The RCMP certainly do not allow their officers to wear discretional adornments on their uniforms other than those officially recognised as part of their uniform. As far as I know, the Maple leaf forms a background to some official force emblems but the force badge is or was, a buffalo head surrounded by leaves and surmounted by a crown. They are not permitted to wear “buckshee” maple leaf badges apart from the official ones. No “ALL” American forces do not wear the stars and stripes badge, indeed, I would imagine and will stand corrected, that the majority do not.
Shropsman, obviously I would have no objection to the Remembrance Day poppies being worn, that goes without saying, everyone should wear one on the appropriate day, in or out of uniform. Police, Army or the local bus driver.
If Police are to wear a badge of the Union Jack, ALL should wear one, officially sewn on in a conspicuous place. We appear to have some ex coppers on here who are against the idea of “”willy nilly” badges, good for them, there are far to few with that mindset these days.
Report abuse
Good point Val but could you stick to rocking chairs and christmas jumpers.
Report abuse
maybe the they should wear badges with alien faces on…………. just for the craic!!!!
Report abuse
I live in the US now, but on every American holiday when the American flag goes outside my house so does the Union Jack. Why? Respect and pride, two words I haven’t seen in any comments so far. The Americans are not my favorite people, but they have pride in there country. They wear the flag to show they believe in the Constitution and the freedom they support. I am still a British citizen, but I’m often ashamed about people like Lucy and her views. I have found in many counties it’s always the people who wouldn’t put on a uniform that have so much to complain about. Our flag is recognized the world over, it should be worn by our Government forces whether military or civilian, if they don’t want to wear it they should become bricklayers. The song said:”There will always be an England”, not if we forget to represent it to the world. As far as other bits and bobs being added to uniforms. Just say NO.
Report abuse
The next you will know is they will be wearing Robinson Jam badges to show their support for the jam factory workers.
Report abuse
I absolutely agree with Lucy W.If it’s standard policy for no badges to be worn by the Police,then it’s standard policy.Simple!
Report abuse
Dear George.
Very sad to hear that you are disheartened by my view a police uniform to adhere to the rules of no unauthorised personal badges or emblems.
It seems that you have inadvertently reinforced my point that by using a National Flag to make a personal message of support to servicemen in combat whilst quite clearly not necessarily supporting a National Policy for the war is confusing.
If your argument is followed, then if the Union Flag is adopted by the Assisted Suicide Campaign, then police officers could wear badges with Union Jacks supporting Assisted Suicide, on the grounds that no-one can object to the wearing of the Union Jack of a police uniform.
This is why I made the point earlier that the Union Jack had been hijacked.
I have no issue with National emblems being worn when they represent a Nationalistic sentiment.
In this case, this Union Jack has the words “Support Our Troops” and a web address added to it, and gives the implied message that the wearer sympathises with a difficult task individual soldiers have been asked to do, but does leave doubt as to whether or not the wearer supports the National policy for this war, with the general inference being they don’t support the National policy.
Just what next? Soldiers wearing rainbow coloured combat gear to show their support of homosexuals in the police force?
Report abuse
i agree the police should wear the union jack on their uniforms. this is britain not europe or amiddle eastern country. if you live in britain then expect to see the union jack flag anywhere.
it’s as simple as that and should not be argued further!
Report abuse
Jim, are you saying that the police should be able to wear a badge with a Union Jack on it that says “I support ‘whom-ever’” and with a web address?
It a pity this article didn’t have a picture of the badge in question, nor did Val Duncan know the facts either.
Because that’s the point in debate!!!! WAKEY, WAKEY !!!
Report abuse
NO LUCY THE UNION JACK FLAG SAYS” THIS IS BRITAIN AND NOT EUROPE” HERE WE ARE BRITISH NOT ANYTHING ELSE. AND WE PRIDE OUR COUNTRY.
are you irish or something then lucy??
Report abuse
The union flag has previously been worn by uniformed officers whilst carrying out duties on behalf of the UK Govt abroad, so it’s nothing new. This tea-cup storm has probably been created by some think tank at Fantasy Island, aka Police HQ, because they’re probably worried about upsetting 0.00001% of the population in case it affects their performance targets. Let’s get back to the return of a ‘uniform’ where the only non black or blue seen were medal ribbons earned as a result of service to the country, and the only jewellery seen was a watch and a wedding ring.
Report abuse
NO JIM, THE BADGE IS UNION JACK WITH THE WORDS “SUPPORT THE BRITISH TROOPs”
Just what don’t you understand about that?
PS I fail to see how my ethnic origin has anything to do with this, it merely exudes racism that could be misconstruded as consistent of wearers of the badge.
Report abuse
The Police Uniform should be exactly what it is and no other type of badge, emblem or items of unnecessary jewellery be worn. Too many ‘officers’ adore their already scruffy uniform (as in West Mercia Police) with badges supporting all sorts of personal beliefs etc. The police should be impartial, not display items supporting this that and the other…
However, I believe that being patriotic is a good thing; it helps create a cohesive society. Why do nations, including our own, expect potential citizens to undertake tests and then swear allegiance to that nation.
To that end we should not be embarrassed to ‘fly the flag’ in all public buildings. Further more I believe that for those in uniform service of the crown (Queen & Country) the union flag emblem should be part of that uniform and be worn with pride.
Lucy W – over to you……
Report abuse
Si said the truest thing on this stream:-
“Let’s get back to the return of a ‘uniform’ where the only non black or blue seen were medal ribbons earned as a result of service to the country, and the only jewellery seen was a watch and a wedding ring”.
To true Si, agree 100%.
Report abuse
Jim,
The Union flag says to me that this is Britain, that we’re part of Europe, and that we can fly it proudly alongside the flags of France, Germany, Italy etc.
I’d like to see our flag rehabilitated, and wrestle it back for all British people from right wing politicians, football hooligans, xenophobes and those with jingoistic tendencies, so that it can be seen for all as a symbol of unity, as flags can be in other countries, rather than as a symbol of division.
Perhaps its inclusion on police uniforms would be a good start.
Report abuse
All the reasoning and all the ideas said, this is still the UK and the union jack should be worn proudly by all the goverment officials that want to serve and protect this country. I was a police officer myself and wore the flag proudly.
Report abuse
I agree with the above comment,lets get ALL service personnel back to wearing uniform, I went passed the scene of an accident the other day until I took a closer look I thought I’d encountered a morris men convention, there were all manner of colours and appendages visible the only thing was morris men are never seen outside without wearing a hat :-)
Report abuse
We should be proud of the union jack falg and make all uniformed people wear it!!
all courts and local authority buildings, police stations should fly the flag at all times!
and people from other countries or of other ethinic origin should not moan if people fly the flag of great britain. we live in the UNITED KINGDOM like it or lump it and we are proud to be British!!!
Report abuse
Richard, if you read back through my blogs, I am not against the flag being worn officially by every copper as an official badge on uniform. What I am against is the likes of yourself, pleasing himself what he will wear and when. You had no official right to wear the flag – if in fact you did so but if you did, that tells me what sort of approach to coppering you had. The Police Service was = I emphasise “was”, a disciplined, uniformed service and I emphasise “uniformed”. Someone above rightly compares the situation to “Morris Men”, most apt, in both appearance and approach.
Report abuse
We seem to have inherited or perhaps developed a unit of scruffs over the years, I know the bobby on the beat with his tunic and helmet have gone, the current crop look like they’re on their way to work on a building site as they stroll about aimlessly with their hands in their pockets.Sgt Dixon all is forgiven it’s time to come back and inject some respect back into the police; I can’t see the point of having a union jack added to the uniforms they already swear allegiance to the sovereign and carry the crown, the symbol of her office on their crests.
Report abuse
Telford Pete: Thank you for passing over the baton of debate. Like you, I have no objections to the Union Jack, but disagree with police uniforms being adorned personal messages. Likewise I object to people defending a personal message under the grounds that if it has a Union Jack, you are a traitor to object.
Sadly the late comers to this thread have missed the point that whilst the badge has a Union Jack, it has a personal message and website address on it. It is the personal message that is in debate.
This is hi-jacking the national flag for private adgenda.
I am so insensed I have started on my home made wine early (Fri PM) and feel that there is nothing more I can add whilst in this drunken stupor, which I am sure will be a relieve to some!
Over to you Pete….
Report abuse
The thing I sense from the thread of the comments is the need to return to a smart police force, a lot of the comments indicate that people are fed up with the personalisation of the uniforms and want to return to the days when police officers looked the part and not some sort of rag-tag army. There is obviously a watering down of responsible supervision of these people who no doubt will claim that their human rights are being infringed because they can’t wear hair gel, designer sunglasses or to express their sexuality or religion in whatever way they choose. Time for a return to core values and provide a service based on need and not target hitting.
Report abuse
I think you do not need to display the union flag to be proud to be british,with the police almost trying to get some form of proportional representation of the population amongst its ranks whether the the flags of Jamaica,Pakistan etc etc would be allowed to be worn? Then you’ll get others who insist that we are european not british and will want to add the flag of that union, hey why not go the whole hog and just put a united nations symbol? The next thing is some go-getting junior supervisory officer trying to talk the talk and aiming to find the xfactor to propel their career will end up with more badges than a boy scout just back from summer camp.
Report abuse