VICTORIAN POLICE SHOW THEIR PRIDE… BUT WHAT ABOUT QLD?

By Toby Longhurst

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland received a hero’s welcome at the Victoria Pride March held in Melbourne earlier this month when he joined in the parade, leading members of Victoria Police through the streets of St Kilda.
“Never in my life have I experienced the sort of reception and the sort of welcome that we got walking down the street to Catani Gardens today, it was just unbelievable,” Overland told the Herald Sun.
“If I had any hair on the back of my head it would have been standing up.”
“It’s a message to the broader community about tolerance and inclusivity,” he said. “It’s really important that we come to events like this to engage directly with this fabulous, vibrant part of our diverse community in Victoria,” Overland said.
The Previous Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon had also twice marched in the parade.
Unfortunately the story in Queensland is somewhat less inspiring. Uniformed Queensland Police officers have always been banned from taking part in the Brisbane Pride Parade, meaning that the only police officers seen on the parade route are the ones directing traffic. (Special Operations officers paid for by Brisbane Pride Festival)
When contacted about the possibility of Queensland Police officers being allowed to march in uniform at the 2010 Brisbane Pride Parade, Queensland Police stated that it would be against QPS policy for any officers to be marching in uniform.
“All Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers have the freedom to express their views and participate in any lawful activity when they are off duty, such as gay pride days,” police representatives told QNews.
“It is, however, the QPS position that it is not appropriate for officers who are, or may be perceived to be on duty to participate in an event or activity which may be seen to align the QPS with any particular group.”
Brisbane Pride Festival Event Co-ordinator Kylie Mitchell told QNews: “Queensland’s Police are always welcome to participate in the parade. It would also be wonderful to see our Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson join in the celebrations.”