Brunstrom flies gay pride flag over police HQ
Discussion
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4428021/Gay...
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Telegraph said:
Gay pride flag flies at police HQ
A gay pride flag has been flying above a police headquarters.
Last Updated: 12:32AM GMT 02 Feb 2009
The rainbow flag is the symbol of gay pride
The flag to be hoisted to mark "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual History Month" at North Wales Police, where Richard Brunstrom, the controversial chief constable is in charge.
However anger is growing about flying the flag, and whether special interest groups should be perceived to be favoured by the police.
David Jones, Tory MP for Clwyd West, called it "political tokenism".
He added : "I can't see any reason why any flag other than the Union Flag and the Red Dragon of Wales should fly outside our police headquarters.
"This is tokenism and posturing. People want to see their police force focus on fighting crime, not getting involved in political tokenism and gestures."
Darren Millar, who is Conservative Welsh Assembly Member for the constituency, commented : "It's very strange for this sort of flag to be flying from a public building.
"Whilst I recognise North Wales Police have done a great deal to make sure they are open and behave equally to everyone this seems to be political correctness gone mad. I don't think it's going to enhance their ability to catch criminals."
Mr Millar, a former member of the police authority, said : "Perhaps they should focus more on a significant morale problem among their officers, which showed in a recent Police Federation survey."
A retired senior officer from the force said : "I think the flying of symbolic flags by this chief constable is divisive and unnecessary.
"I was always dismayed when he took the decision not to fly the force flag any more, which was a symbol of a family force to which everyone belonged irrespective of race, colour or sexuality.
"Flying the flag of special interests, as worthy as they may be, is divisive."
It's flying "to mark the start of a series of internal staff activities aimed at celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual History Month," according to the force website.
On Friday there was a ceremony organised by the Gay Police Association North Wales and backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers and Stonewall Cymru together with supporters and "key public stakeholders".
The website explains that the flag "symbolises not only the continuous struggle for recognition and equality that many lesbian, gay and bisexual people have experienced over the years but its vibrant colours also represent celebration and hope for the future."
It quotes Assistant Chief Constable Ian Shannon praising the work of the Gay Police Association and adding : "Sexuality is a highly emotive and personal matter and I have great respect for those involved with the Gay Police Association who, over the years, have worked selflessly to promote equality within our organisation."
"I am immensely proud to support our gay officers and staff and I hope that this event sends out a clear message as we continue to strive for inclusivity and equality."
Jenny Porter, community liaison officer for Stonewall Cymru says: "It is a great sign to lesbian, gay and bisexual people in North Wales how much the police has changed and it is encouraging that people have confidence in the police to report homophobic hate crime."
"The flag signifies that we are celebrating the fact that the world is full of people with differing sexual orientations and that everyone should be treated equally and with respect."
A gay pride flag has been flying above a police headquarters.
Last Updated: 12:32AM GMT 02 Feb 2009
The rainbow flag is the symbol of gay pride
The flag to be hoisted to mark "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual History Month" at North Wales Police, where Richard Brunstrom, the controversial chief constable is in charge.
However anger is growing about flying the flag, and whether special interest groups should be perceived to be favoured by the police.
David Jones, Tory MP for Clwyd West, called it "political tokenism".
He added : "I can't see any reason why any flag other than the Union Flag and the Red Dragon of Wales should fly outside our police headquarters.
"This is tokenism and posturing. People want to see their police force focus on fighting crime, not getting involved in political tokenism and gestures."
Darren Millar, who is Conservative Welsh Assembly Member for the constituency, commented : "It's very strange for this sort of flag to be flying from a public building.
"Whilst I recognise North Wales Police have done a great deal to make sure they are open and behave equally to everyone this seems to be political correctness gone mad. I don't think it's going to enhance their ability to catch criminals."
Mr Millar, a former member of the police authority, said : "Perhaps they should focus more on a significant morale problem among their officers, which showed in a recent Police Federation survey."
A retired senior officer from the force said : "I think the flying of symbolic flags by this chief constable is divisive and unnecessary.
"I was always dismayed when he took the decision not to fly the force flag any more, which was a symbol of a family force to which everyone belonged irrespective of race, colour or sexuality.
"Flying the flag of special interests, as worthy as they may be, is divisive."
It's flying "to mark the start of a series of internal staff activities aimed at celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual History Month," according to the force website.
On Friday there was a ceremony organised by the Gay Police Association North Wales and backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers and Stonewall Cymru together with supporters and "key public stakeholders".
The website explains that the flag "symbolises not only the continuous struggle for recognition and equality that many lesbian, gay and bisexual people have experienced over the years but its vibrant colours also represent celebration and hope for the future."
It quotes Assistant Chief Constable Ian Shannon praising the work of the Gay Police Association and adding : "Sexuality is a highly emotive and personal matter and I have great respect for those involved with the Gay Police Association who, over the years, have worked selflessly to promote equality within our organisation."
"I am immensely proud to support our gay officers and staff and I hope that this event sends out a clear message as we continue to strive for inclusivity and equality."
Jenny Porter, community liaison officer for Stonewall Cymru says: "It is a great sign to lesbian, gay and bisexual people in North Wales how much the police has changed and it is encouraging that people have confidence in the police to report homophobic hate crime."
"The flag signifies that we are celebrating the fact that the world is full of people with differing sexual orientations and that everyone should be treated equally and with respect."
I feel bad for the BiB. When they try and show they give a s
t, they get slated for time wasting and not focusing on crime. When they don't acknowledge Gays, Jews, Asians or Blacks, they get called racist, homophobic, anti-semptic swines.
Nice try boys but wouldn't bother next time, you'll only get bked again.
t, they get slated for time wasting and not focusing on crime. When they don't acknowledge Gays, Jews, Asians or Blacks, they get called racist, homophobic, anti-semptic swines.Nice try boys but wouldn't bother next time, you'll only get b
ked again.
not something which should be promoted. 
elster said:
I think the police emblem, Welsh flag and Union Flag would be perfectly acceptable.
The gay pride flag is not for the police to be flying. If it was the HQ of a gay organisation then fine, but it is not.
Disgraceful, and disrespectful.
It sets quite a precedent, next week he'll be flying a Harley Davidson flag as he quite likes the look of them, and a Guiness flag on St Patrick's, 'cos he's off to Dublin for the weekend.The gay pride flag is not for the police to be flying. If it was the HQ of a gay organisation then fine, but it is not.
Disgraceful, and disrespectful.
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