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Queensland police investigate allegations officer wore 'thin blue line' symbol at BLM protest Queensland police investigate allegations officer wore 'thin blue line' symbol at BLM protest
(12 days later)
Police ‘making inquiries’ after photographs of officer wearing US flag bisected by thin blue line circulated on social mediaPolice ‘making inquiries’ after photographs of officer wearing US flag bisected by thin blue line circulated on social media
Queensland police have said they are “making enquiries” after an officer was photographed allegedly wearing a patch associated with far-right extremism at a Black Lives Matter protest on Friday.Queensland police have said they are “making enquiries” after an officer was photographed allegedly wearing a patch associated with far-right extremism at a Black Lives Matter protest on Friday.
Photographs circulating on social media showed an Australian police officer wearing a patch depicting the US flag bisected diagonally with a blue line. It appears very similar to popular variations of the “thin blue line” flag used by extreme rightwing groups in the US.Photographs circulating on social media showed an Australian police officer wearing a patch depicting the US flag bisected diagonally with a blue line. It appears very similar to popular variations of the “thin blue line” flag used by extreme rightwing groups in the US.
Eighteen people were arrested at the protest, which was organised as part of the Black Lives Matter movement after a 49-year-old Indigenous woman died in custody in Brisbane last week.Eighteen people were arrested at the protest, which was organised as part of the Black Lives Matter movement after a 49-year-old Indigenous woman died in custody in Brisbane last week.
“The Queensland police service is aware of an officer wearing a patch which is not part of the standard QPS uniform and is making enquiries into the matter,” a spokesman said. “In certain situations, officers can seek approval to wear a uniform which varies from the standard uniform policy.”“The Queensland police service is aware of an officer wearing a patch which is not part of the standard QPS uniform and is making enquiries into the matter,” a spokesman said. “In certain situations, officers can seek approval to wear a uniform which varies from the standard uniform policy.”
It’s understood that these exemptions are rarely made, and police are investigating if the officer sought permission.It’s understood that these exemptions are rarely made, and police are investigating if the officer sought permission.
The patch is partially obscured in photographs but appears to be similar to a variation of the “thin blue line” flag which was originally designed to highlight solidarity between US and Canadian police forces. The Australian variations generally do not include the US flag.The patch is partially obscured in photographs but appears to be similar to a variation of the “thin blue line” flag which was originally designed to highlight solidarity between US and Canadian police forces. The Australian variations generally do not include the US flag.
The flag has been adopted by those who oppose the Black Lives Matter movement, and has been associated with violent white supremacist movements.The flag has been adopted by those who oppose the Black Lives Matter movement, and has been associated with violent white supremacist movements.
It was flown alongside the Confederate flag during the 2017 “unite the right” rally in Charlottesville, North Carolina, where a woman was killed by a white supremacist who drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters.It was flown alongside the Confederate flag during the 2017 “unite the right” rally in Charlottesville, North Carolina, where a woman was killed by a white supremacist who drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters.
It remains a popular symbol in US police forces and among supporters of Donald Trump.It remains a popular symbol in US police forces and among supporters of Donald Trump.
In Brisbane on Friday protesters rallied outside the Roma Street police headquarters chanting “let them go” as officers handcuffed a demonstrator and put them in a police van.In Brisbane on Friday protesters rallied outside the Roma Street police headquarters chanting “let them go” as officers handcuffed a demonstrator and put them in a police van.
After scuffles broke out with police, the demonstrators moved through the city, disrupting traffic, before coming to a halt at the Queen Street mall just before noon.After scuffles broke out with police, the demonstrators moved through the city, disrupting traffic, before coming to a halt at the Queen Street mall just before noon.
Brisbane Greens councillor Jonathan Sri, who filmed the event, said the demonstration was peaceful until officers became involved.Brisbane Greens councillor Jonathan Sri, who filmed the event, said the demonstration was peaceful until officers became involved.
“Residents were protesting peacefully, spaced out safely, and without warning or negotiation, police started arresting people, turning a safe situation into a tense one,” Sri said.“Residents were protesting peacefully, spaced out safely, and without warning or negotiation, police started arresting people, turning a safe situation into a tense one,” Sri said.
Footage showed demonstrators gathered around a police vehicle while some painted their hands red, chanting “blood on your hands” at officers as what looked like handprints were smeared on the walls of the police headquarters and on waiting vehicles.Footage showed demonstrators gathered around a police vehicle while some painted their hands red, chanting “blood on your hands” at officers as what looked like handprints were smeared on the walls of the police headquarters and on waiting vehicles.
Police are investigating the death of the Indigenous woman, but said an autopsy indicated the 49-year-old died from natural causes. The woman had appeared in court on Monday on drug and property offences.Police are investigating the death of the Indigenous woman, but said an autopsy indicated the 49-year-old died from natural causes. The woman had appeared in court on Monday on drug and property offences.
She had been due to be transferred to prison from the Brisbane city watch house but was found dead in her cell early on Thursday.She had been due to be transferred to prison from the Brisbane city watch house but was found dead in her cell early on Thursday.
It was the first time anyone had died inside the station in its 20-year history, assistant commissioner Brian Codd said.It was the first time anyone had died inside the station in its 20-year history, assistant commissioner Brian Codd said.
“I’d like to sincerely pass on my condolences to her family, her loved ones, her next of kin, and also particularly the elders of Indigenous communities who we’ve been engaged with throughout yesterday to assist in, I guess, respecting the cultural sensitivities associated with her passing,” he said on Friday.“I’d like to sincerely pass on my condolences to her family, her loved ones, her next of kin, and also particularly the elders of Indigenous communities who we’ve been engaged with throughout yesterday to assist in, I guess, respecting the cultural sensitivities associated with her passing,” he said on Friday.
“A post-mortem examination appears to indicate that the death was by natural causes.”“A post-mortem examination appears to indicate that the death was by natural causes.”
The ethical standards command is investigating her death on behalf of the coroner, overseen by the Corruption and Crime Commission.The ethical standards command is investigating her death on behalf of the coroner, overseen by the Corruption and Crime Commission.
The picture caption on this article was amended on 24 September 2020 to better describe the symbol in the photo.