Police and Pride: union hopes to one day see uniformed police back in parade

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A decades-long tradition in the Vancouver Pride Parade has come to an end–the participation of uniformed police officers.

Tom Stamatakis with the Vancouver Police Union says the decision is regrettable, given the number of LGBTQ members on the force.

“We do have a significant number of people that do identify with that community and are quite proud of the fact that they’re part of that community and they’re very proud of the fact that their police officers in this city and involved in the policing profession and I know there’s always been a lot of enthusiasm around the event,” he says, something that’s evident on Twitter.

“The fact that the organizers of the parade made the decision to exclude the police marching in uniform I think is concerning for a lot of people, including for our officers that are part of that community and also police officers and want to express that.”

Members of the VPD had marched, in uniform, in the parade for more than two decades before a decision last year to stop the practice.

“At the end of the day, it is not our parade, it is the Pride Parade and organizers have made that decision and obviously we’re going to respect that. But not every one is happy about it.”

He says there still will be a uniformed presence as on-duty officers will be taking care of security measures at the parade. He hopes that the tension won’t escalate to officers not being allowed in the parade at all.

“We’re trying to work with the organizers of the Pride Parade–I don’t think this should be about that, when you look at the purpose of the parade is. It’s all about celebrating inclusivity and allowing people to be who they are, free from any negative reaction. I really hope it doesn’t come to that.”

He adds Pride is an event that the VPD looks forward to every year, but for now they’ll have to be involved in whatever way the Pride Society dictates.