Mourning Band

The mourning band is the traditional way for Police Officers to publicly mourn the line of duty death of one of their own. For the sake of uniformity, each employee will strictly adhere to this policy.

Policy: Mourning Band

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: N/A

Issue Date: February 22, 2017

Reviewed Date: March 27, 2026

Revised Date: March 27, 2026 

 

Purpose:

The mourning band is the traditional way for Police Officers to publicly mourn the line of duty death of one of their own.  For the sake of uniformity, each employee will strictly adhere to this policy.

Policy:

Black mourning bands shall only be worn upon notification from the Chief of Police.  Mourning Bands shall be worn on any badge visible to the public, straight across the center of the badge.  The University Police Department will provide each officer with two mourning bands, one for his/her uniform shirt and one for his/her jacket.  Electrical tape is discouraged, but may be used in a pinch.  UW- Platteville Police Officers shall wear the mourning band following the procedures below.

Definitions:

1. Mourning Band- A strip of black material that is worn around an officer’s badge as a mark of respect for an officer(s) who died in the line of duty.
2. Region (County) – Within the County of Grant
3. Region (Wisconsin) – Within the State of Wisconsin
4. Region (Out of State) – Any other State within the United States

Procedures:

1. The Chief of Police will determine when the mourning bands will be applied to Police Department Badges, following the guidelines below:
   1. Upon the Line of Duty Death of any UW-Platteville Police Officer, the mourning band shall be worn by all UW-Platteville Police Officers from the time of death until 11:59PM on the 30^th day after the day of death.
   2. Upon the Line of Duty Death of any Police Officer within the County region, UW-Platteville Police Officers shall wear the mourning band from the time of death, until 11:59PM on the day of the funeral.
   3. Upon the Line of Duty Death of any Police Officer within the Wisconsin region, UW-Platteville Police Officers shall wear the mourning band from the time of death, until the conclusion of the funeral.
   4. Upon the Line of Duty Death of any Police Officer in the Out of State region, the Chief of Police will decide the date and duration UW-Platteville Police Officers shall wear the mourning band.
   5. UW-Platteville Police Officers shall wear the mourning band on May 15th, National Peace Officers Memorial Day, each year.