Would a police officer sporting a rainbow “pride” badge rather than the official Tampa Police Department badge be more or less likely to be respected by criminals?
The Florida city’s police department has introduced a new commemorative badge design for LGBT “Pride Month” and shared a video highlighting the symbolism behind the updated badge.
The new badge incorporates the colors and chevron design of the “Progress Pride” flag, which was created in 2018. The chevron added to the rainbow design represents “people of color and the transgender community,” according to Patch.
The Tampa Police Department showed off its new fashion statement in a video posted on social media on Thursday.
“Incorporating the Progress Pride Flag, this badge is 1 of 9 that members can choose to collect or wear in June,” the X post said. “Serving as a conversation starter & symbol of safety, we’re here to listen, learn, and ensure all members of our community feel included, safe, and respected.”
Incorporating the Progress Pride Flag, this badge is 1 of 9 that members can choose to collect or wear in June.
Serving as a conversation starter & symbol of safety, we’re here to listen, learn, and ensure all members of our community feel included, safe, and respected. pic.twitter.com/KChgUZq9oC— Tampa Police Department (@TampaPD) June 6, 2024
The video featured an uncomfortable-looking black man and white woman displaying a colorful badge that looks like something you would find in a cereal box, while a voice-over explained the reasoning behind this bizarre decision.
“We all want to feel safe and respected no matter who we are,” the voiceover said. “The newest commemorative badge, one of nine that members of the department can choose to collect or wear, is a symbol of our department’s commitment to serving members of the LGBTQ+ community with understanding.”
Perhaps the badge might make some individuals feel more comfortable, but I, for one, would feel very uncomfortable putting my life in the hands of a police officer whose badge looks like it was colored in by a 3-year-old.
Should this police department rescind the “pride” badges?
“This badge can be a conversation starter, a way to show that we are allies and a symbol of safety for those who might be hesitant to interact with the police,” the female officer in the video said.
“We’re here to listen, learn, and help you with anything that works towards creating a feeling of a safer, more inclusive community for everyone,” the male officer added.
And you thought police officers were here to protect, defend and keep criminals at bay.
X users did not have kind words for the new “pride” badge.
“Is this a parody?” one person wrote. “The government has no place endorsing religions/ideologies/political groups. Can only officers wearing rainbow badges serve some communities? Do I dare ask about the other ‘collectible’ 8 badges? Do officers collecting all 9 get designated parade grand marshal?”
Is this a parody? The government has no place endorsing religions/ideologies/political groups. Can only officers wearing rainbow badges serve some communities? Do I dare ask about the other “collectible” 8 badges? Do officers collecting all 9 get designated parade grand marshal?
— Snowball (@LeftAnimalFarm) June 7, 2024
“Stop this crap! Do your jobs(in case you forgot while making this crap, LOCK UP CRIMINALS) and get home to your families safely. There should be a single badge that all officers wear… It’s not a collectible. What a waste of my tax dollars and an ideological subversion,” another said.
Stop this crap! Do your jobs(in case you forgot while making this crap, LOCK UP CRIMINALS) and get home to your families safely. There should be a single badge that all officers wear… It’s not a collectible. What a waste of my tax dollars and an ideological subversion.
— Steve (@Steve2d) June 7, 2024
Others expressed similar sentiments.
Do normal officers get reprimanded if they choose not to celebrate deviancy?
— @RealManOfGenius (@realmanofgenius) June 7, 2024
How about you all just do your damn jobs and worry less about political statements. You are supposed to be above all this. Protect and Serve. That is your directive. This doesn’t make anyone feel safe. We should all be concerned. Woke = Crime.
— Zeppenwolf 🇺🇸 (@The_Zeppenwolf) June 7, 2024
How about a badge to honor law-abiding citizens who pay your salaries and who do not demand a special month to bring attention to their bedroom activities?
— Identifier of Demosocialist Donkey Fazoo (@Ionoclast50) June 9, 2024
Why does a sexual preference need to be on a badge ?
— Brittany Rae (@legitbrittFLA) June 7, 2024
Where does “inclusivity” end?
Should female police officers start wearing hijabs to show the Muslim community that they are “allies”?
Maybe police officers should start having crack pipes on their badges to identify with drug addicts.
On the other hand, would the police department ever issue a “Christian” badge? After all, far more people identify as Christian than “LGBTQ+.”
It is not the job of the police department to provide “conversation starters” or to make people “feel” safe. It’s their job to keep people safe.
Stunts like this do nothing to help anyone and, as the comments on social media prove, only make the department look weak and stupid.
