MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A divided village board in Mount Prospect voted Tuesday night to have “Thin Blue Line” patches removed from police officers’ uniforms, over the objection of the chief.
The vote was four to three to have the patches removed.
Police Chief John Koziol addressed village board members before the vote.
"I refuse to acquiesce to the removal of the shoulder patch. I know it's important to your opposing views and I, for one, would fight to give all these citizens that constitutional right. I now respectfully request that these same people, instead of looking for needle meaning, accept what this symbol has always represented the memorial of fallen police officers," Chief Koziol said.
He said, "They can tear our patch off our arm, but they will never take what's in our heart. The men and women of the Mount Prospect Police Department will always honor our fallen brothers and sisters in law enforcement."
The vote reflects the division in the community, some believing the "Thin Blue Line" patch represents white supremacy; others agreeing with the chief that the symbol honors fallen officers.
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