West Midlands Police apologises for ‘historic harm’ to LGBTQ+ community
West Midlands Police’s Scott Green (West Midlands Police)
The acting Chief Constable of West Midlands Police has marked Pride Month by issuing a public apology for the historic “mistreatment of LGBTQ+ communities across the region”.
CC Scott Green shared an open letter on the matter, saying that he wanted to personally “sincerely and wholeheartedly apologise” for the past mistreatment by police against the community, which the force had previously shied away from referencing.
“I recognise laws were historically wrongly used to proactively target members of the LGBTQ+ community, in particular gay and bisexual men, and that this ruined lives having a lasting negative impact,” he wrote.
“As a result, people did not feel they could be open to be who they were or about the people they loved for fear they would be arrested and sent to prison.”
He continued: “This was completely wrong and for this I would like to extend a sincere apology for any recent and historic injustices and discrimination that members of LGBTQ+ communities in the West Midlands have faced.”
Green was appointed the Acting Chief Constable of West Midlands Police in January this year. He noted that he has had the “privilege” of meeting “members and representatives of the LGBTQ+ community” during his first few months in the post.
“I actively wanted and continue to listen, hear and understand the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ communities, both historically and now, so I could comprehend the detrimental impact policing had on people,” he wrote.
He went on to say that he has been “deeply saddened and moved” by the trauma experienced by many members of the community as “a consequence of the actions and behaviours of police.”
“I am extremely grateful to all those who have been so open and willing to share their experiences with me and I praise you for your bravery and courage,” Green continued.
“It has become increasingly clear to me that the manner in which certain laws were enforced prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality was, in many cases, inappropriate, discriminatory, and fell short of the standards any member of the public should expect.”
Scott Green takes responsibility
Green explained that he is responsible for “the past, present and future of the force.”
“While I cannot right the wrongs of the past, I can offer my sincere regret and acknowledge the impact actions have had,” he wrote.
The Chief Constable also noted that he believes the force has come a long way and is now much more inclusive and diverse as an organisation that positively engages with the LGBTQ+ community, both internally and externally.
He went on to share details about West Midlands Police’s current DEI strategy and encouraged members of the community to report anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes.
“I hope that from this letter you will recognise that this is not simply words of apology but a heartfelt desire, on behalf of our force, to proactively build a positive relationship with the LGBTQ+ community and allies, to build trust and confidence in policing and make the West Midlands a safe and cohesive place to live, work and visit,” he concluded.
Prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community in the UK have been calling upon law enforcement to apologise for the historic disproportionate harm against queer people by the police, so the letter was welcomed by many.
Lawrence Barton, the director of Birmingham Pride, said that the letter marked an “incredibly moving and vital moment.”
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