San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott has backed down to liberal outrage and banned officers from wearing “thin blue line” face masks in support of American law enforcement.
Police officers in the California city had started wearing face masks designed to look like the “thin blue line” flag as they enforced stay-at-home orders last week, according to KTVU [1]. The symbol has links to Blue Lives Matter, a movement made in response to Black Lives Matter.
Liberal outrage immediately ensued when photos and videos of the officers wearing the masks began circulating online.
A row of cops line the house where two unhoused women are living, trying to stay safe during a global pandemic. #reclaimsf [2] pic.twitter.com/HGk4Hcz4T7 [3]
— Reclaim SF (@reclaim_sf) May 1, 2020 [4]
Chief Scott backed down and submitted to the angry leftists by banning the masks.
“Thin Blue Line masks shall not be worn by our on-duty members,” Scott said in a statement, going on to add:
The San Francisco Police Department stands for safety with respect for all, and in consideration of concerns some community members have expressed that ‘thin blue line’ symbolism on some of our officers’ face masks may be perceived as divisive or disrespectful, we are taking steps with our officers and the Police Officers Association to provide alternative, neutral personal protective equipment.
In the midst of a global pandemic that has seen far too many first responders lose their lives, across the nation and around the world, it’s important to remember that the masks our officers wear were meant to honor all who make the ultimate sacrifice for the people we serve.
Retired American Civil Liberties Union lawyer John Crew supported the banning of the masks, telling the San Francisco Chronicle [5] that they violate policy regarding political symbols. “This is two issues combined,” he claimed. “The thin blue line is a political symbol. And it’s a POA-branded mask. It’s like wearing a political button.”
Crew later told The San Francisco Examiner [6], “Who the heck in the command staff, anybody from sergeant and above who saw these masks, thought that this would be okay?”
However, police union president Tony Montoya said that Scott’s staffers were shown the masks before they were put into use. They didn’t seem to have any problems with it until liberal snowflakes went into meltdown mode. It’s sad that the chief of police would rather side with angry liberals instead of with his own officers.
This piece was written by PoliZette Staff on May 5, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette [7] and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
New York state wasted virus response resources by panicking [8]
Susan Sarandon voices support for Democrat challenging Pelosi after Speaker defends Biden against rape allegation [9]
New Gallup poll has Trump riding high [10]