Hingham Firefighters Union Keeps Flying 'Thin Blue Line' Flags

HINGHAM, MA — The president of the union representing Hingham firefighters said the "Thin Blue Line" flags meant as a tribute to local police after the anniversary of Weymouth Sgt. Michael Chesna's in-the-line-of-duty shooting death will remain flying until town officials provide a copy of the policy they said the flags violate.

Hingham Firefighters 2398 said in a statement on Friday that, while it did not agree with the order to remove the flags from the apparatus that it said were meant as a tribute to Chesna on the second anniversary of his death last week, it would abide by the request and remove them. But Local 2398 President Lt. Chris Melanson said Monday morning that "repeated requests for a copy of the policy that we have allegedly violated have been met with silence" and therefore was refusing to remove the flags.

"At this time the Hingham Firefighters of Local 2398 respectfully request the town reconsider their decision to deem these flags as political statements," Melanson posted on Local 2398's Facebook page. "Otherwise, we regret to inform you that over the past four days no member of Local 2398 was able to sacrifice his or her moral fortitude in order to remove the flags from the apparatus. As we said before, our support for our brothers and sisters in blue is unwavering. The flags have continued to fly with honor every day. They will have to be removed by someone other than a member of this union."

Melanson said Local 2398 has received "an overwhelming outpouring of support for the members of the Local 2398, Hingham police officers, Weymouth police officers and the Chensa family" during the controversy.

"The voices of support have far outweighed the voices of opposition," he wrote. "It is abundantly clear the vast majority of people support the thin blue line for exactly what it represents. The 'Thin Blue Line' has existed for over 100 years. It has always, and will always, represent the men and women of law enforcement that hold the line between peace and chaos. Especially those who have bravely made the ultimate sacrifice during the performance of these heroic duties.

"We stand by our initial statement that this has no political message for one reason, and one reason only, because honoring the sacrifices made by the men and women of law enforcement is not political. Period."

The flag battle comes at a time when the state legislature is debating sweeping police reforms and accountability protocols aimed at what critics call systematic racism within law enforcement.

The police reform bill passed the House 93-66 and the Senate 30-7. Twelve of the 16 South Shore state representatives voted against the bill that would eliminate the legal doctrine known as qualified immunity and create and state oversight commission.

Qualified immunity protects public officials from lawsuits in their official work. If approved, police officers would no longer be immune to lawsuits following incidents that result in decertification.

More Patch Coverage: Widow Of Slain Weymouth Officer Sees Police Reform Bill As 'Personal Attack'

Hingham Fire To Remove Thin Blue Line Flag From Trucks

Weymouth Sgt. Michael Chesna Remembered 2 Years After Death