The Thin Blue Line (emblem)
The Thin Blue Line is a symbol used by law enforcement, originating in the United Kingdom but now prevalent in the United States and Canada to commemorate fallen officers and to symbolize the relationship of the police in the community as the protectors of the citizenry from the criminal element. It is an analogy to the term Thin Red Line.
Each stripe on the emblem represents certain respective figures: the blue center line represents law enforcement, the top black stripe represents the public whilst the bottom represents the criminals. The idea behind the graphic is that law enforcement (the blue line) is what stands between the violence and victimization by criminals of the would-be victims of crime.[1]
Proponents of the symbol assert that the identifier is intended to show support for police.[1]In the wake of controversies over police shootings, the Thin Blue Line Flag has become popular among law enforcement personnel, their families and supporters.
Variations
After the popularity of the Thin Blue Line emblem for law enforcement came a number of other "thin lines".
- Thin Orange Line – Search and Rescue Personnel and EMS, also used by civilians possessing a concealed carry weapon permit
- Thin Red Line Firefighters,
- Thin Silver Line – Corrections officers
- Thin Yellow Line – Loss Prevention Officers, Tow Truck Drivers[2]
- Thin Green Line – Security Officers[3]
- Thin Gold Line – Dispatcher
- Thin NWU Line – United States Navy
- Thin ACU Line – United States Army
- Thin Tiger Stripe Line – Air Force
- Thin White Line – Emergency medical services. The thin white line differs from other thin lines in that the background is blue instead of black, with a white line crossing horizontally through the middle. EMS also still uses the "Thin Orange Line" which is primarily used by Search and Rescue.
- Thin Blue Line with Lightning Bolt – S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons And Tactics)
- Thin Black Line - Nurses. The thin black line differs from other thin lines because it is a white background with a horizontal black line through the middle.
Attachments
The Gold Star attribute signifies law enforcement and military officers who have retired or are currently serving meritoriously. The thin black line symbol represents nurses Registered Nurse & licensed practical nurse. The white background represents the nurses loving, caring, compassion, and healing light. The thin black line represents disease, sorrow, and suffering. The two white lines encompass the black line, representing the continuous care nurses provide to people in need.
Popular culture
- The term came into broad use after the release of Errol Morris' 1988 documentary film The Thin Blue Line, about the murder of a Dallas Police officer Robert W Wood. Judge Don Metcalfe who presided over the trial of Randall Adams, states in the film, that prosecutor "Doug Mulder's final argument was one I'd never heard before: about the "thin blue line" of police that separate the public from anarchy." [4]
See also
- The Thin Blue Line
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Thin Blue Line". kubby.com. 19 September 1999. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ↑ Face Book Group titled: "Thin Yellow Line" that on 10-17-2014 had over 2100 members
- ↑ Face Book Groups titled: "Thin Green Line", "Arrest Authority Security Officers" and "National Security Officer Memorial Foundation" using and displaying the Green line in their banners and on there pages in various graphics
- ↑ http://www.errolmorris.com/film/tbl_transcript.html