PSNI chief will not reverse predecessor’s ban on officers parading in uniform

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has decided to reinforce his predecessor’s decision in 2023 to ban PSNI officers from parading in uniform at Pride.

The PSNI told Belfast Live that following a further request from its “LGBT+ Network to attend this year’s Belfast Pride in uniform, the Police Service has decided that whilst we will attend and support the event, our officers and staff will not be permitted to participate in the parade in uniform”.

Former police chief Simon Byrne has reversed a decision that had been in place since 2017 when he decided to ban uniformed officers from marching in the 2023 Gay Pride parade, whose theme was “Stand Up for Your Trans”.

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Police insisted at the time that the issue had nothing to do with the decision, which came after critics claimed that uniformed officers were an official endorsement of gay rights campaigns. The ban was widely supported by trade unionists with LGBT+ support groups speaking out against it.

Police Chief Jon Boutcher said he had “carefully considered this year’s request” and that it was a “difficult decision” but decided to continue the ban “in accordance with our legal obligations as a public service and as an employer to act with fairness, integrity and impartiality.”

He added: “Throughout my career, I have been an active supporter and advocate for the LGBT+ community. This decision was difficult, but it was made in line with our statutory obligations as a public service and as an employer to act with fairness, integrity and impartiality.

“Parades and protests have a unique historical context in Northern Ireland that is well known to all. The number of parades and the diverse groups involved within this unique Northern Irish context have led me to make a decision that provides clarity and consistency on the involvement of uniformed police officers participating in such parades.

“Our wider participation in this and other Pride events will continue to be an important element of our outreach and engagement, highlighting the valuable role that LGBT+ officers and staff play in our service, that we are an employer and a service for all, and that hate crime, in whatever form it may take, is wrong and will not be tolerated.

“Since last year’s decision not to participate in the parade, we have actively engaged with the LGBT+ community, elected representatives and key stakeholders to assure them of our continued support. These events have been a welcome opportunity for us to engage directly on a range of issues, including our participation in Pride events across Northern Ireland.

“I want to again reassure everyone that this decision in no way diminishes my personal or the organization’s commitment to supporting our LGBT+ colleagues and our support for these communities.”

Police said the ban was based on our “Off-Duty Standards” and our Code of Ethics, which sets clear expectations for all officers and staff in terms of our impartiality and prohibits officers from wearing their uniforms or being identified as police officers when involved in “causal matters.”

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