Laguna Beach Police Flag Logo Builds Civic Pride

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The sight of an American flag emblazoned on the Laguna Beach Police Vehicles has brought may a resident to pause. Some, with pride and others with disdain, but for the overwhelming majority, the logo is a matter of civic and national pride according to Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow.

In February, the city of Laguna Beach council voted on a new logo design along with the black and white SUVs. Out of six possible logo designs, one blue with a "beach" background, the other the screened "American Flag," the council asked the police which logo they preferred.

According to Cpl. Ryan Hotchkiss, the president of the Laguna Beach Police Employees Association, and Chief of Police Laura Farinella, the department preferred the logo bearing the American Flag.

Though Hotchkiss and Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow both told the Orange County Register, they have seen a mostly positive response on the logo.

"Everyone loves the flag," Dicterow told the Register.

National media attention has raised questions about whether the logo is causing controversy or 'panic' in the city, but according to the residents who live here, there have been no complaints.

At the April 2 City Council meeting Jennifer Zeiter, resident voiced support for the police vehicles and "an excellent representation of the American flag."

To Michelle Monda, a Laguna Beach resident, "the flag means 'I'm an American.' Don't reconsider changing the logo."

Others, such as Janine Robinson, shared over Facebook that "waving the red, white and blue feels tainted, like rooting for the dark side."

Councilman Peter Blake says that there have been complaints, saying a public hearing will be held during regular council session Tuesday to review the design decision and whether the dark red, white and blue logo looks "too mean, aggressive and militaristic" as a group of "political extremists" have said.

Any changes "would be easy," he said, as the logo is "just a decal" sticker.

As for the officers driving the vehicles? Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jim Cota told Patch all are enjoying the new look and feel of the SUVs, inside and out.

“All of the police officers at the Laguna Beach Police Department support the Chief of Police and City Council’s decision on the new design of the police vehicles," he told us. "We will continue to support the city council and whatever decision they choose for our police vehicles. I do know that all of the Laguna Beach Police Officers really like the new design and enjoy driving black and white police vehicles now.”

Hotchkiss elaborated in a released statement that the Police Employee Association feels that "having the American flag displayed on our police vehicles symbolizes all of the good things that this city, county, state, and country not only stand for but strive to achieve."

For them, America and the American flag represents something bigger than us, he said.

"Freedom, democracy, human rights, and equality for all. Every law enforcement officer in the country takes an oath to follow and uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics," he said.

A portion of the code of ethics reads that for police, the "fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.”

For Hotchkiss and the 85 people he speaks for in the department, the American flag represents the ideals that we should all strive to achieve, he said, adding: "The officers of the Laguna Beach Police Department proudly support the flag, and we hope that it remains on our police cars as a symbol of pride in all that America stands for."

Still, the city council will vote once again on the design Tuesday.

Police officials at Tuesday's meeting will also ask the council to consider updating the statement printed on the rear quarter-panel of the cars. Currently the statement is "Proudly Serving Our Community," and the suggested replacements are:

• Guardians of the Community;
• Community, Commitment, Courage; and
• Serving with Pride and Integrity.

Read Also: Laguna Beach Police Go Back To Black And White Patrol Cars