Toronto officer asked to remove controversial skull patch from uniform
Posted September 8, 2020 1:17 pm.
Last Updated September 8, 2020 4:55 pm.
A Toronto Police officer has been asked to remove a controversial skull patch after it was found attached to his uniform.
Spotted this patch on one of the officers at this morning’s presser. Google tells me this is a motto popular among police, a fuller version of which is “I may walk among the sheep, but make no mistake, I am the sheepdog.” The sheep being civilians, presumably. pic.twitter.com/vjWJzQlzb6
— Ben Spurr (@BenSpurr) September 8, 2020
The motto, popular among law enforcement officials, is often attached to t-shirts and other memorabilia such as the skull patch.
Toronto police spokesperson, Meaghan Gray, said in an email: “The officer wearing the patch has been identified and he has been directed to remove it immediately. It is not approved, nor appropriate, for him to be wearing it on his uniform. This is now a matter of internal discipline.”
According to the Blue Line Shop, which sells apparel that supports law enforcement, they define the quote as follows: “The message is to spread that law enforcement officers stand between the community and chaos. To honor the bravery of our brothers and sisters in blue, wear this shirt, sweater, or hoodie for public support and awareness.”
Toronto MP, Adam Vaughan, commented on the matter, saying on Twitter: “Just taking the patch off doesn’t make it better because the person who used their ‘discretion’ to attach the symbol still has the discretion to use a weapon. Take the patch and the badge and with them the gun too.”
It’s unclear if any other officers have the same patch on their uniforms.
