Police Have No Opinion On 'gay’ Bill (Press, 23 August 1985)

On 23 August 1985, Commissioner of Police Ken Thompson stated that the police administration did not oppose the Homosexual Law Reform Bill currently under review by a Parliamentary select committee. However, he expressed concerns about the potential inclusion of homosexuals within the police force. The bill, which aims to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal, has led to mixed reactions from the community. Mr Thompson emphasised that while the police had no specific opinion on the bill itself, they believed public cooperation with law enforcement could be negatively affected if homosexuals were not excluded from the force. He maintained that some people might be uncomfortable with homosexual individuals in positions of authority, and therefore, the police sought an exemption from the proposed discrimination provisions. In contrast, Dr Bob Moodie, the secretary of the Police Association, countered Thompson's assertions by highlighting that there are already homosexuals and lesbians serving in the police without causing problems for the public. He argued that the fears articulated by the police administration were unfounded. Thompson acknowledged the backlash against police submissions to the select committee, recognizing that it reflected deep divisions within society regarding homosexuality. He described the police's situation as a "no win" one, stating that the executive must make decisions that preserve police morale and ensure public service, which may not align with either liberal or conservative viewpoints. Instead, the police might have to navigate a path that represents the more moderate majority opinion. Furthermore, Thompson pointed out that there remains significant concern among parents regarding the presence of homosexuals in authority figures, as evidenced by strong public feedback relating to the age of consent discussions. He concluded that until these societal fears are resolved, it was essential for the police to uphold their position regarding the inclusion of homosexuals in the force.

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