North Yorkshire Police today apologised for any discriminatory behaviour that members of the LGBTQ+ were subjected to by members of the force.
The unprecedented blanket apology came in response to a request from equality campaigner Peter Tatchell for all police forces to say sorry for their historical treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.
Mr Tatchell has expressed his gratitude for North Yorkshire Police’s current supportive policies towards the LGBT+ community.
But he requested that “to draw a line under the past extreme persecution of LGBT+ people by UK police, including your force, I hope you will agree that some expression of remorse is appropriate… so that we can move forward together.”
Mr Tachell is founder of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, which “seeks to promote and protect the human rights of individuals, communities and nations, in the UK and internationally”.
In his letter to Mr Peter Tatchell, Acting Chief Constable Elliot Foskett said:“As Acting Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, I offer my sincere apologies to the LGBT+ community for any historical discriminatory behaviour they were subjected to by any member of this force.
“To rebuild trust, it’s important to recognise the harm caused not only to the individuals subject to unacceptable police behaviours of the past, but also the upset and distress experienced by their families and loved ones, and the LGBT+ community as a whole.
“I recognise that it’s important to acknowledge former injustices, to forge stronger relationships for the future.
Read the full letter
“I hope that this acknowledgment demonstrates our commitment as a force to work with our LGBTQ+ to do exactly that.”
Act Ch Con Elliot is bisexual – and he said that meant “I understand some of the challenges that our LGBTQ+ communities, both externally and internally, continue to face.
“I hope my response, and the actions of all the officers and staff that I lead, shows that policing is listening, learning, and changing, and that everyone here at North Yorkshire Police is fully committed to true inclusivity and equality for all.”
