A ‘WHOLE-hearted’ apology has been issued by West Midlands Police for the force’s historic mistreatment of LGBTQ+ communities.
Acting Chief Constable Scott Green said it was ‘timely and appropriate’ that the apology was issued during Pride Month.
He said: “Since my appointment in January, I have met with members and representatives of the LGBTQ+ community, alongside having many other opportunities to listen, engage with and meet people across the West Midlands.
“I actively wanted to listen, hear and understand the lived experience of LGBTQ+ communities, both historically and now, so I could comprehend the detrimental impact policing had on people.
“From these recent engagements and opportunities, I have been deeply saddened and moved by the trauma experienced by individuals as a consequence of the actions and behaviours of police.
“In light of this I have written personally to community members and I am publicly stating my sincere and whole-hearted apology.”
He said certain laws had been enforced prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in ways which were ‘inappropriate and discriminatory’ and led to ‘ill-treatment or harm’.
He added: “Thankfully, I do believe that we have come a long way and are now a much more inclusive and diverse organisation that plays an active role in engaging positively with our LGBTQ+ community, both internally and externally.
“What this apology does seek to achieve is to reaffirm our commitment to policing without fear or favour.”
He also thanked members of the LGBTQ+ community for being open and willing to share their experiences, and praised them for their ‘bravery and courage’.
He said: “I want everyone to feel able to speak to West Midlands Police, to report crime or share information, in the knowledge they will be treated with dignity and respect.
“We will not tolerate any form of discrimination in this force or in the community and we will collectively amplify and celebrate the diversity of both WMP and the communities we serve.
“Crime is crime, regardless of colour, creed or any other protected characteristic. My message to everyone is: we are here to protect you.
“I know I cannot change the past and it saddens me greatly to think that our historic actions have diminished trust in West Midlands Police and led to feelings of injustice that persist for some today.
“However, we will work hard to build trust and confidence in policing and make the West Midlands a safe and cohesive place to live, work and visit.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster welcomed the apology, which he said he had been calling for the force to issue for ‘some time’.
He said: “For too many years, members of the LGBTQ+ community were let down by policing.
“People who should have been protected and supported instead faced discrimination, prejudice, victimisation and, in some cases, criminalisation simply for being who they were.
“It is right that these wrongs and injustices are acknowledged openly and honestly.
“An apology cannot change the past, nor can it undo the anguish, pain and injustice experienced by so many individuals and families. However, it is an important, meaningful and significant step in acknowledging that these actions were wrong and should never have happened.
“While significant progress has been made within wider society and policing, there is always more to do, to ensure West Midlands Police is an organisation where everyone is treated equally and with dignity, fairness and respect.
“Today is not the end of that journey, but it is an important milestone on the path towards greater understanding, equality, trust and inclusion.”
