Wearing of thin blue line badges

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031282

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Are recent media reports that police officers attending London PRIDE celebrations were banned from wearing thin blue line badges accurate. ( is it correct or partly correct that officers could not wear thin blue line badges while attending PRIDE events in London )

2. How many police officers were told not to wear thin blue line badges.

3. What is the name and rank of the person that decided to authorise the ban on wearing thin blue line badges.

4. Did the Met consult any third-party organisations/ charities before deciding to ban the wearing of the thin blue line badge. If so, what is the name of the organisation(s) that were consulted.

5. The Greater London Authority notes that a velcro thin blue line badge or pin is not prohibited under the Met’s dress code. Please confirm if this is accurate. If it is - What consideration was given to this.

6. Was the chief constable (M Rowley) consulted on this decision.

7. Please supply me with copies of all internal emails relating to the wearing of thin blue line badges at London PRIDE events in 2023.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 40(2) Personal Information

Reason for decision

Section 40(2) Personal Information - are absolute exemptions which means that the legislators have identified that harm would be caused by any release. In addition there is no requirement to consider the public interest test.

With regards to Q7 Please supply me with copies of all internal emails relating to the wearing of thin blue line badges at London PRIDE events in 2023.

S40 is applicable to the names of MPS staff who are not in public facing roles and below the rank of Chief Superintendent. In addition disclosure of email addresses and contact telephone numbers would likely lead to unwanted and unsolicited intrusion from persons interested in the business area, directly to the staff member.

Disclosure

Q1 - Are recent media reports that police officers attending London PRIDE celebrations were banned from wearing thin blue line badges accurate. (is it correct or partly correct that officers could not wear thin blue line badges while attending PRIDE events in London)

The wearing of Thin Blue Line badges is not permitted by current MPS policy with the exception of Police Memorial Day badge, Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes badge and wrist band. Deviation from this policy can be authorised under strict criteria.

Q2 - How many police officers were told not to wear thin blue line badges.

This was a standard briefing point to all uniform officers on the event.

Q3 - What is the name and rank of the person that decided to authorise the ban on wearing thin blue line badges.

It is standard Met uniform policy and needed no further authorisation.

Q4 - Did the Met consult any third-party organisations/ charities before deciding to ban the wearing of the thin blue line badge. If so, what is the name of the organisation(s) that were consulted.

The wearing of Thin Blue Line badges is not permitted by current MPS policy, already in place with the exception of Police Memorial Day badge, Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes badge and wrist band.

Q5 - The Greater London Authority notes that a velcro thin blue line badge or pin is not prohibited under the Met’s dress code. Please confirm if this is accurate. If it is - What consideration was given to this.

The Met’s Dress Code Policy sets out the official uniform police officers must adhere to. The policy has not changed and allows for a small number of exceptions which does not currently include The Thin Blue Line badge. The relevant section of the policy (Badges, poppies, sashes, charity wrist bands) is currently under review. We have added the Thin Blue Line badge/patch into this review and this is currently at consultation stage. The outcomes of the review, consultation and any proposed amendments will be submitted and considered via the normal governance route of Uniform and Appearance Board.

Q6 - Was the chief constable (M Rowley) consulted on this decision.

No –The policy was published in January 2022 and already in place when the Commissioner joined the MPS.

Q7 - Please supply me with copies of all internal emails relating to the wearing of thin blue line badges at London PRIDE events in 2023.

Please see attached redacted emails. Names of MPS staff who are not in public facing roles, below the rank of Chief Superintendent, email addresses, contact telephone numbers and postal addresses have been redacted. In addition, part of the emails have been redacted as they are deemed irrelevant to the question asked.