Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day

[Farmer Jones]

Today I attended the Police and Peace Officers National memorial day in Ottawa. There were police from everywhere, I even chatted with a sheriff from Ohio. Lots of kilts and pipe bands. I did not have a camera, so I can only show you this.

[rlh2]

Thin blue line between order and chaos. God bless!

[FreddyBeachPete]

Both my brother and his wife are Ottawa Police officers so participated in this event. Tragically, one of their OPS colleagues, a Staff Sergeant, died in his office on the same day. #RIP #ServiceAboveSelf #GodBless

[okiwen]

Canadians please,

Why the difference between the flathand and the open hand salutes? I was under the impression that Canadians used the palm out like Europeans do.

[FreddyBeachPete]

Good question - Canadian military salute with flat hand. RCMP generally salaute with open hand (in the British tradition). Police, fire and others in uniform it can be a mixed bag. Interestingly, the RCMP Drum Major in the photo above is not saluting with an open palm, while the chap second from L is doing so. My guess - they may both be civilians (or retired military/police) who are simply associated with the bands rather than serving members of the force.

[Bruce Scott]

Canadians please,

Why the difference between the flathand and the open hand salutes? I was under the impression that Canadians used the palm out like Europeans do.

In 1968 the Canadian Navy, Army and Air Force were merged into a single force made up of three commands (Maritime, Land and Air). These elements all wore the same uniform and in the interests of single force uniformity the palm down salute was adopted across the board.

[crash]

The gentleman 2nd from the left is the drum major for the Brockville City Pipes and Drums (my band). I'll ask him on Wednesday night. On another note when I was in Her Magesty's Naval Reserve we were told our hands were turned down to hide our dirty palms.

Good question - Canadian military salute with flat hand. RCMP generally salaute with open hand (in the British tradition). Police, fire and others in uniform it can be a mixed bag. Interestingly, the RCMP Drum Major in the photo above is not saluting with an open palm, while the chap second from L is doing so. My guess - they may both be civilians (or retired military/police) who are simply associated with the bands rather than serving members of the force.

[okiwen]

All very interesting. I enjoy reading the experience of all. Sounds like a mixed bag all the way across. So, not necessarily country wide but different by the service in tradition.

[Mike_Oettle]

Since I regard the flat-handed salute (now standard in the South African forces) as being a step backwards, it is good to know that the RCMP still salute open-handed (the way I was trained in the SA Army).
It was traditional in the South African Navy (as in the Royal Navy) to salute flat-handed, but this was necessitated by the cramped quarters aboard ship. There is no such excuse for our army.
Great picture, though.
Regards,
Mike

[FreddyBeachPete]

My observation has been that the Royal Canadian Navy (as it once was and is now, with a roughly 50 year period in between when it had various names due to the integration referred to above!) salutes palm down but with a break at the wrist so that the elbow is closer to one's side. Guessing this too is attributable to cramped quarters aboard - as well as a desire to distinguish itself from the other services. As with kilts, where salutes are concerned, variety is truly the spice of life!