Police support Manchester Pride parade

Officers and staff from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are taking part in Manchester’s Pride parade on Saturday 24 August.

The annual event, watched by around 200,000 people, is organised by Police with Pride, which consists of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) representatives from forces across the North West.

Among those attending on the day will be Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd.

With this year’s theme being ‘Acceptable in the 80s’, officers are raising awareness of how far they have come in improving relations with LGBT communities.

GMP is now more reflective of these groups, with an increase in gay and trans people working for the organisation, and diversity training is provided to all new recruits to ensure they are sensitive to, and able to respond to, the needs of different groups.

Targeting someone because of their sexual orientation or transgender identity is now classed as a hate crime, and police encourage victims to report all incidents, as they are always taken seriously and investigated.

GMP’s Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: “Manchester Pride is a very important event for GMP, as there was a time when officers had to hide their sexuality in order to move up through the ranks. However, I am pleased to say that this is no longer the case, and now more police officers and staff march in the Manchester Pride parade than in any other pride parade in the world.

“This year’s event promises to be a fun-filled day for all ages, as well as being a timely reminder of how far we have come in forging good relations with LGBT communities.

"The police contingent at the parade will be led by the GMP band, and representing our past will be a selection of vintage police cars and officers wearing uniforms from the Force museum.

"Current operational officers and staff, along with their friends and family, will represent where GMP is now, and they will be followed by our new cadets who represent the future.

“In keeping with the 80s theme, the famous red Quattro that featured in the TV series Ashes to Ashes will be there, as will an open-topped double decker bus.

"I would encourage families to come down and experience the carnival atmosphere with us, as by doing so they will be showing their support for a worthwhile cause.”

Darrelle Lynch, who has coordinated GMP’s Pride contingent, added: “We want to make it clear to LGBT communities that being gay or trans is no barrier to working for the police, or to progressing within the organisation.

"We are committed to erasing hate crime in our communities, and GMP utterly condemns abuse or attacks that are motivated by someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity. People are urged to come forward if they’ve been a victim of hate crime, as officers will always listen and act on any information given.”