What is “The thin blue line?”
When you look around at law enforcement literature, artwork, and even stickers we sell here at overwatchdesigns.com, you see references to “The thin blue line.” Most people in law enforcement know the saying well, but there are many of our friends and family who just nod their heads and smile. So if you don’t understand the phrase completely or just are interested in more about it…here is my take on the saying. I don’t take credit for the saying, especially because it was first used prior to my birth. I’m aging…but not THAT old 🙂
There are many different explanations for what “The thin blue line” means, but below are my thoughts on the matter. There have been several movies and documentaries that reference the blue line starting as far back as the 1960’s. Since then, Police agencies, Sherriff’s Offices, Border Patrol, and Fire Departments have used the Thin Blue/Green/Red line as a symbol of protection and loyalty to the communities we serve.
The THIN BLUE LINE references the few men and women who don the uniform with an oath to protect the public at large from those who intend on doing harm.
Why blue? Simply because most Police uniforms are blue. The uniform I button on daily, right down to the Kevlar vest, is dark blue. Professional, classic, and tactical. The uniform is recognizable while still offering the officer concealment in the dark. It hides the blood rising from the skin during knock down drag out fights with the predator, covers the sweat from a hard day’s work, and provides comfort to those in need.
It’s known as a “thin” line because of the sheer outnumbering ratio of officers to number of people within a service area. Nationwide, many ratios are one officer to thousands of people. An Officer responding to a call or stopping a vehicle doesn’t know if the person they will contact is friend or foe. It could be an elderly woman who lost her glasses and needs help finding them, a thief breaking into a car for money to feed an addiction, or a predator looking to kill. Each Officer straps on the vest and buckles the belt willing to respond to the most traumatic, horrifying, stressful calls for help and knows all he or she will get is criticism about how the incident was handled. Getting to see the relief in each person’s eyes when the Officer arrives is enough to clear the brain and go on to the next one.
The line is not one of separation but one of solidarity with the community, one of protection. The thin blue line stands on the exterior of society protecting it from the wolves desiring to attack. Best practices are always evolving to make officers better.
I willingly stand shoulder to shoulder with those willing to protect and serve the public. I will face your fears and mine, run to you, walk with you, or stand beside you. All I ask is while I’m facing forward; you help protect my back from the inside of civilization… Those wanting to tear down the wall and allow the wolves in. We may not always agree on police tactics or split second decisions but we all want the best for society. We want families to sleep peaceably in their beds, children to play happily in the streets, and all the good human beings in the world to prosper.
David at overwatchdesigns.com