NOON: The senior police recruitment officer who denigrated a potential recruit because because his scarf was "a bit too gay" will be "talked to" by a Human Resources manager. Senior Constable Kelvin McBride denigrated a potential police recruit at a weekend careers expo in Christchurch because his scarf was "a bit too gay," but police headquarters spokesperson Inspector Dawn Bell says the police are "pretty well convinced" that the officer is not homophobic. She believes the comment was just part and parcel of "some banter" between the officer and the man and doesn't believe he meant to denigrate either the man or gay people in general. Bell told GayNZ.com this morning that Senior Constable Kelvin McBride "has realised a little too late that what he said was out of context and he has apologised for what he says." According to Bell, McBride "never intended to offend the young man or anyone else with his comments." Despite the comment and the seniority of the recruitment officer, Bell says McBride's comments do not reflect national recruitment policy and lesbians should feel comfortable in dealing with the police and if considering the joining the force. "We have a policy of reflecting the society we live in, we have appointed diversity liaison officers and are interested in taking recruitment applications from gays, lesbians and transgender people." Ironically, the comment was made as the Christchurch gay community celebrates Christchurch Pride week.