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Boulder City Magazine® July 2007 Issue
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BCPD Informer
by John Chase, Deputy Chief
Boulder City Police Department
Symbols
I just had a great opportunity to spend a portion of the day at the Boulder City Elks Lodge as we reflected upon our Nation’s Flag. During their annual Flag Ceremony I was immensely impressed with their historical perspective as well as the manner in which they cherish the United States’ most notorious symbol, the flag.
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I offer the following for your information. I am hopeful that during our great Fourth of July Parade you too will pay respect to the flag as intended. Here are some basic rules:
“During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present, except those in uniform, should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.” (Source: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/flag/flag code.html#9)
I would like to thank the Boulder City Elks Lodge for inviting me to attend their annual flag ceremony and allowing me the opportunity to reflect upon our flag in such an honorable ceremony.
Symbols clearly define who we are and often judgments are made about us based solely upon our display of symbols. I have several things in my office that are symbolic of who I am, whether it would be my small police car collection, a model John Deere tractor, or photos of my family. All are symbols telling the casual passer by what I value.
Police officers often look at symbols in a different light. What may look like a nice tattoo to the average person could clearly be an indicator of gang activity. Often times criminals will use a tattoo as a place to brag about past criminal deeds, even murder. Other symbols may be indicative of drug usage, levels of commitment toward a given cause (such as patches for motorcycle gang members) or certain religious or political beliefs.
Our ability to read these symbols correctly and respond appropriately is what keeps police officers alive. Yes, even in Boulder City.
Until next month, stay safe.
John Chase can be reached via his e-mail address at Jchasebcnv@earthlink.net |
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