A Washington State Patrol trooper who lives in Silverdale flew a Confederate flag on his house, according to WSP. A neighbor took a photo of the flag with the trooper's patrol car parked in the driveway and contacted the Kitsap Sun newspaper, who then contacted WSP.
On Monday the State Patrol told KIRO 7 they weren't aware that Trooper James Manning displayed the Confederate flag at his home until about 10 days ago when a reporter from the Kitsap Sun did a personnel records request.
Kyle Moore, the communications director for WSP, says the trooper's supervisor went to the house in Silverdale to see for himself. He saw the Confederate flag was flying on the home, contacted the trooper and told him why it was not appropriate.
According to WSP, Manning told his supervisor he wasn't aware of the meaning and promptly took it down. Manning told his supervisor it was given to him by his great-grandfather and it was an artifact, that's why he was flying it, Moore explained on Monday.
The flag was replaced with an American flag.
When asked if there are rules that would keep a trooper from being allowed to fly a Confederate flag on his home, Moore read from The Washington State Patrol Regulation Manual, Application of the Rules of Conduct - Private Life, which states, "Officers will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to the department or to themselves."
The State Patrol said the neighbor contacted the newspaper, but did not file a formal complaint. While a supervisor has the ability to decide whether or not to investigate, WSP says the situation is not under investigation. According to Moore, the trooper's supervisor felt the situation was handled when the flag was quickly removed.
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