Thu 26 Jun 2014 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Police marched in Police Association branded t-shirts this year New Police Commissioner Mike Bush has announced police will be able to march in uniform in the Auckland Pride Parade next year. “We have decided to allow our staff to march in uniform, with the understanding they are off duty and act with professionalism,” he says in his latest blog. In 2012 officers and support staff who wanted to march were told they could not do so under any police banner. After sustained work from some Diversity Liaison Officers, police were allowed to march in the Parade for the first time this year, but police bosses said they could not wear uniform as they would not appear impartial. They wore Police Association t-shirts instead - and had the backing of the Police Assocation. While a solid number of police officers, police staff and family members marched this February, some officers were unwilling to take part until they could do so in full uniform. Commissioner Mike Bush, who came into the role in April, says police should encourage officers to show pride in who they are and the communities they represent. “As an organisation we stand for diversity and inclusiveness, so it is important we are seen to 'walk the talk' where we can,” he says. “I note that uniformed Defence Force personnel have marched in the Auckland Pride Parade since 2013 and uniformed police have marched in similar events celebrating sexual diversity in many parts of America, Europe and Australia for several years.” Bush says police should be much clearer about the fact that empathy and respect for diversity are also core to the way they work. “While it is important that we reflect the communities we serve, it's also about celebrating our diversity and treasuring what makes each of us unique.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 26th June 2014 - 5:13pm