Washington State Trooper flying confederate flag above his patrol car disturbed neighbor

SILVERDALE, Wash. – A Washington State Patrol trooper who flew a Confederate flag at his Silverdale home with his official vehicle parked underneath in view of neighbors has taken the flag down after his supervisors were tipped off by a public records request.

The Kitsap Sun reported Monday the newspaper had filed the request for Trooper James Manning’s personnel file and regulations regarding the display of potentially offensive symbols. The flag was brought to their attention by a person submitting a tip.

State Patrol spokesman Kyle Moore said Manning claimed he inherited the flag from his grandfather and that he wasn’t aware of the “implications” of such a symbol.

Manning didn’t return a message seeking comment.

Moore said the State Patrol wasn’t investigating the matter as misconduct because Manning took down the flag.