Section 15.60 Public Safety Officers; American Flag

MINNESOTA STATUTES AND CODES

Section 15.60 Public Safety Officers; American Flag

15.60 PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS; AMERICAN FLAG.

(a) A public employer may not forbid a peace officer or firefighter from wearing a patch or pin depicting the flag of the United States of America on the employee's uniform, according to customary and standard flag etiquette. However, a public employer may limit the size of a flag patch worn on a uniform to no more than three inches by five inches.

(b) For purposes of this section:

(1) "peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c) or (f);

(2) "firefighter" means a person as defined in section 299A.41, subdivision 4, clause (3) or (4); and

(3) "public employer" has the meaning given in section 179A.03, subdivision 15, and also includes a municipal fire department and an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation.

(c) A peace officer or firefighter who believes a public employer is violating this section may request the attorney general to issue an opinion on the issue. Upon request, the attorney general must issue a written opinion, which is binding, unless a court makes a contrary decision. If after issuing an opinion, the attorney general determines that a public employer continues to violate this section, the attorney general may bring an action in district court to compel compliance.