Police Flags are a popular way for law enforcement supporters to show their pride and fraternal kinship with the men and women who serve their communities. The thin blue line has a long history, going back to the 19th century and its association with the British regiment that held off the Russian cavalry charge of 1854 at the Charge of the Light Brigade immortalized in Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade.”Resource: ultimateflags.com

The image is often used on a variety of items, from coffee cups to COVID-19 masks, but it is especially popular as a flag to fly or display. Some use it as a statement of loyalty to those who serve and protect, while others see it as a banner of defiance in the face of demands for reforms to the police department.

Symbols of Service: Understanding Police Flags

While the thin blue line is a widely accepted symbol for those who serve and protect, it has become controversial in recent years as some communities have called for a ban on the display of the image. This has been largely due to the rise in the Black Lives Matter movement and increased violence against law enforcement.

Many police departments have their own official flags to symbolize their identity and history, including the NYPD’s which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019; it resembles the American Flag, with 24 white stars on a blue field representing police agencies and the city of New York, and five alternating green and white stripes that represent the five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. It is flown at police precincts and other NYPD buildings, and is sold as a decorative item for homes or businesses.