Scotland's police officers will be paid to take part in Pride parades despite the force cutting back on fighting crime, the Mail can reveal. Uniformed officers are being urged to represent the overstretched force at LGBTI marches in exchange for pay or a day off in lieu. While hundreds will be on active duty policing the marches, senior officers have requested that other staff join the parades to show support for the marchers.
And what if they don't want to? Will they be forced to?
The 'astonishing' move will also see plain-clothed officers on light duties given special Pride badges.
And told to wear them or else?
Calum Steele, the former general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), said: 'Moving to a situation where officers are now paid to march (and actively encouraged with the inducement of payment to do so) is an astonishing development and has to raise questions over the effective use of resources.'
Well, der, Calum!
The new policy comes after Scotland's police chief was accused of 'virtue-signalling nonsense' when she apologised for enforcing laws which 'criminalised love'. Chief Constable Jo Farrell said in May that she was sorry for 'recent and historical injustices' suffered by 'lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex' people.
I can't wait for the next season of 'Rebus' on the BBC! It's going to be quite something...
3 comments:
It was regularly instilled in me, during my time as an English County Police officer, that I carried out my duties without fear or favour.
To actually pay Police officers to attend, and take part in, a march supporting a particular sexual preference or identity, makes a mockery of that impartiality.
I wonder if Police Scotland will make a similar gesture to a "It's Great To Be Straight" march?
It may be worth while organising one to find out?
Penseivat
A group of nine firemen from Glasgow, including several Roman Catholics, were disciplined by their employers for refusing to march in a ‘gay pride’ rally*. Strathclyde Fire Board apologized after legal steps were taken.
*Pride Scotia rally in June 2006, reports from 2009.
"It was regularly instilled in me, during my time as an English County Police officer, that I carried out my duties without fear or favour."
Oh, that's soooo old hat!
"A group of nine firemen from Glasgow, including several Roman Catholics, were disciplined by their employers for refusing to march in a ‘gay pride’ rally*. "
I wish I could say I was surprised!
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