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FLYING OF FLAGS

Standard Operating Procedure

Notice:

This document has been made available through the

Police Service of Scotland Freedom of Information
Publication Scheme. It should not be utilised as guidance
or instruction by any police officer or employee as it may
have been redacted due to legal exemptions.

Owning Department Corporate Services

Version Number 3.00

Date Published 01/09/2016

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Compliance Record
Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EqHRIA):
04/06/2013YY
Date Completed / Reviewed:
Information Management Compliant: Yes
Health and Safety Compliant: Yes
Publication Scheme Compliant: Yes

Version Control Table

Version History of Amendments Approval Date

1.00 Initial Approved Version 22/10/13
Update to include details of new document author and
update to para 2.1 placing responsibility on Divisional
2.00 05/03/14
Commander to adhere to protocol ensuring compliance
with SOP
SOP re-formatted to new template aligned to corporate
3.00 01/09/16
identity.

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Contents
1. Purpose

2. Introduction

3. Times

4. How the Union Flag Should Be Flown

5. Half-Mast

6. Days for Flying Flags At Police Premises

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1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide
structured and standardised guidance on flag protocol at police premises and in
particular, to clearly define:
 which flags will be flown;
 the criteria for flags being flown at half-mast;
 the durations of flags at half-mast; and
 the days for flying flags at police premises.

2. Introduction
2.1 The Saltire flag should, where possible, be flown every day at police premises
provided with flagpoles. For buildings with only one flag pole, on certain
national days as listed in section 6, the Saltire flag should be lowered and
replaced (for that day only) with the Union flag, as it takes precedence (with the
exception of St Andrew’s Day – 30th November). Police Scotland Headquarters
will contact area control rooms to intimate by STORM Cad mail message (or
equivalent) other occasions when the flag is to be either fully hoisted or flown at
half-mast.

2.2 At no time will any flags other than the Saltire and Union Flag be flown at Police
Scotland premises, unless otherwise directed by the Senior Management
Team.

2.3 Divisional Commanders will be responsible for ensuring adherence to the flag
protocol at all relevant premises, as described in section 2.1, within their
command area. This includes legacy force headquarters and training facilities.
Local arrangements may be made to ensure compliance with the Standard
Operating Procedure.

3. Times
3.1 Flags are to be hoisted at 0800 hours and lowered at sunset.

4. How The Union Flag Should Be Flown

4.1 The broader diagonal white stripe should be at the top left hand side of the flag
nearest the flagpole.

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5. Half-Mast
5.1 Half- mast means that the flag is flown two thirds of the way up the flagpole.
The flag is raised to the top before being lowered to its half-mast position, and
raised once again before being lowered completely. The occasions on which
flags are to be flown at half-mast are:
 from the announcement of the death up to the funeral of the Sovereign,
except on Proclamation Day, when they are hoisted right up from 1100
hours to sunset;
 on other days as advised by the Senior Management Team.

5.2 When days for flying flags coincide with days for flying at half mast, flags are to
be flown at the top of the flag pole unless a special command is received to the
contrary. In the event of an act of terrorism or other human tragedy, flags shall
not be flown at half-mast unless direction from the Senior Management Team is
issued to the contrary.

5.3 In the event that the Senior Management Team makes such a decision then this
will be subject to a separate Equality Impact Assessment.

6. Days For Flying Flags At Police Premises

6.1 Relevant dates for flying the Union Flag:

20 January Birthday of the Countess of Wessex

6 February Her Majesty's Accession

19 February Birthday of the Duke of York

10 March Birthday of the Earl of Wessex

March Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March)

21 April Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen

2 June Coronation Day

June Official celebration of Her Majesty's

Birthday (usually the second Saturday in June)

10 June Birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh

17 July Birthday of the Duchess of Rothesay

15 August Birthday of the Princess Royal

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November Remembrance Day (second Sunday in

November)

14 November Birthday of the Duke of Rothesay

20 November Her Majesty's Wedding Day

30 November St Andrew's Day (where a building has two

or more flags staffs, the Saltire will be
flown with the Union Flag. Where there is
only one flagpole, the Saltire shall take
precedence).

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