Tim Fletcher is understandably insistent that the Hamilton Police Service’s first-ever Colour isn’t a mere flag.

As the service’s part-time historian, he’s spent three years wending his way through the formal process of first obtaining an official grant of arms and then the Colour that will be its standard-bearer at parades, Remembrance Day and other ceremonial functions.

On Monday, the forensic video technician will see the fruits of his labour when police unveil the new Colour at a special ceremony and parade at Central Station that starts at 7 p.m.

The Colour — a rarity among Canadian police services — only arrived on Wednesday morning and comes as Hamilton police celebrate their 175th anniversary.

“It’s fortuitous to be honest with you,” said Mr. Fletcher, admitting he wasn’t aware of the looming birthday when he first began working on an application for the grant of arms from the Canadian Heraldic Authority in Ottawa.

“There’s 175 years of tradition at our back. We’ve lost seven officers in the course of duty,” he said.

“That’s what’s represented by this grant of arms and especially this Colour.”

The grant of arms was designed by the Heraldic Authority based on the service’s history.

The red maple leaf at its centre represents Canada, with the golden edges signifying the Hamilton area’s prosperity and cultural richness.

The blue in the background circle  represents the city’s abundance of water — Lake Ontario, the bay, creeks and streams.

The golden leaves at the sides are a standard police symbol, while the crown on top signifies loyalty to the Crown. The trillium below represents Ontario, while the red cinquefoils on either side are flowers found in the Scottish Highlands and represent the clan Hamilton.

On the Colour, the red in the background signifies the sacrifice of officers, while the blue is a traditional police colour — one dating back to the choice of blue for London, England’s bobbies in 1829.

Mr. Fletcher said some people may see the grant of arms and Colour as anachronistic, but they’re meant to honour the past and inspire officers of today and the future.

The Colour will be blessed and carried in a special carrier that is embroidered with the names of the service’s seven fallen officers.

“The public is really encouraged to come down and watch the ceremony,” Mr. Fletcher said.

“It’s a one of a kind. It won’t happen again here. You only do it once.”