Staffordshire police apologises for past ill treatment of LGBT+ community

The force admitted previous policing practices caused harm and eroded trust within the LGBT+ community.

Staffordshire Police is the 22nd UK police force to say sorry for past homophobic policies.

In a letter to the Peter Tatchell Foundation, Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs said: "It is with deep regret that we acknowledge that some individuals in policing acted in ways that went beyond what the law required and caused harm.

"The manner in which certain laws were enforced prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2003 was, in many cases, inappropriate, discriminatory, and fell short of the standards the public should expect.

"On behalf of Staffordshire Police, I want to express sincere regret and offer a heartfelt apology for the actions and behaviours that led to ill-treatment or harm experienced by members of the LGBTQ+ community."

The senior police officer was responding to an appeal from the Peter Tatchell Foundation’s “Apologise now!” campaign.

The apology admits that enforcement was often “inappropriate, discriminatory and fell short of the standards the public should expect.”

It also acknowledges the lasting negative impact this mistreatment has had on trust and confidence in policing among LGBT+ communities.

The Acting Chief Constable highlighted steps taken to improve relations, including the work of the LGBTQ+ staff network, expanded hate crime reporting mechanisms and specialist training on LGBT+ issues for officers.

She also pointed to a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination within the force and initiatives such as “Hate Crime Spotlight” to strengthen responses to anti-LGBT+ incidents.