What set you rep? What hood you from?

“When your government agency uses a flag, symbol, or sign, the public will assume that you identify and support every reputation or group associated with it. “ - Thomas Y. Lynch.

I worked for a Law Enforcement agency with some officers displaying the Blue Lives Matter flag on their uniforms and in their offices. I knew some of the officers and honestly, I would trust them with my life. To me personally, it seemed harmless. However, as a communicator in a public agency, it was a big red flag (pun intended). Our primary goal is to serve our entire community. We have to be credible and cognizant of the public’s view of our organization.

Frankly, some unsavory factions associate themselves with the Blue Lives Matter flag. There isn’t room for debate on this, appearance matters - intent doesn’t.

As government agencies, we must remain neutral and unbiased in our communications with the public. This includes avoiding flags, signs, and symbols affiliated with extreme political views. Here are five reasons why government agencies should be cautious about using such imagery:

1. Community divisiveness:

Displaying symbols associated with extreme political views can create division within the community. It can alienate certain groups and make them feel unwelcome or marginalized. This can lead to tension and conflict, ultimately harming the overall harmony and unity of the community.

2. No credibility in messaging:

Using symbols associated with extreme political views can undermine the credibility of the government agency. It may cause people to question the agency's motives and intentions, making it harder for them to trust the information and messaging being provided. This can hurt the effectiveness of the agency's communication efforts.

3. Political turmoil:

Associating with symbols of extreme political views can draw unwanted attention and controversy to the government agency. It may lead to accusations of bias or favoritism, creating a political firestorm that distracts from the agency's core mission and responsibilities. This can disrupt operations and hinder the agency's ability to serve the public effectively.

4. Unwanted litigation:

Using symbols affiliated with extreme political views can open the government agency up to potential legal challenges. It may violate laws or regulations related to political neutrality and impartiality, leading to costly lawsuits and legal battles. This can drain resources and energy that could be better spent serving the community.

5. Poor organizational image:

Displaying symbols associated with extreme political views can tarnish the reputation and image of the government agency. It may create a perception of bias or extremism, making it harder for the agency to build trust and credibility with the public. This can damage the agency's standing in the community and hinder its ability to carry out its duties.

The Wrap: We are the land of the free! While we have the freedom to express ourselves in our personal lives, as public servants, we have a responsibility to serve everyone in our community. Using symbols associated with extreme political views is not a good steward of public trust, and it can make our organization's voice mute to segments of the community. Government agencies need to remain neutral, impartial, and inclusive in their communications to ensure that they are serving all members of the public.

Here are a few online resources about the matter for you to further consider:

Police1.com

The Marshall Project

NBC