Posted: 1/19/05
Vandeveer bill would allow flags on uniforms
T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter
No police chief will be able to prevent officers from wearing an American flag patch or pin on their uniforms under legislation proposed by two area lawmakers.
Indeed, any public employee, other than for health or personal safety reasons, canít be told to remove a flag patch or pin from their clothing under the bill.
Sen. Mady Reiter, R-Shoreview, and Rep. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake, proposed the legislation after learning that policies often change in regard to the wearing of the flag.
Former lawmaker Dale Walz, a police captain from Baxter, said the policy in Baxter was that flag patches could not be worn.
ěSome of us feel very strongly about wearing it,î Walz said, speaking at a press conference at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 13.
He and others continued to wear the patch despite the policy against it, he said.
Reiter said she was shocked to learn some police officers were not permitted to wear flag patches.
ěI certainly think that we should all be free to show our support for our country by wearing a flag whenever we choose,í she said.
This is not the first flag legislation for Reiter.
She lead the initiative in the Senate to made reciting the Pledge of Allegiance mandatory in public schools.
Vandeveer shares Reiterís sentiments about the flag.
ěPublic safety officers put their lives on the line to protect us,î Vandeveer said. ěThey should be allowed to show their patriotism.î
Officials can be penalized under the proposed legislation for prohibiting the wearing of flag patches and pins.
Public employees must limit the size of the flag patch to no more than three inches by five inches.
The provision would extend to private vendors with public sector contracts.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605