Sudbury police ditching uniforms for Pride parade

Sudbury police officers won't be marching in uniform at this year's Pride parade, a decision made amidst a national debate on police participation in Pride events.

This year Toronto Pride banned uniformed officers and police floats from the parade at the request of the group Black Lives Matter.

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"I don't think that any Pride organizations at this time are not talking about it,"said KellyPerras, acting chair of Sudbury Pride.

Perrassaid Sudbury Pride decidedit still wanted police to be visible in theevent this Saturday, but in a way that wouldacknowledge concerns that have beenraised across the country.

"Certain communities have faced excessivemarginalizationby the police forces," she said."I'm not just speaking about Sudbury, I'm speaking about everywhere. For those communities we have to listen."

Instead of uniforms, officers taking part in the parade will wear plain clothes or casual police clothing, including polos andt-shirts. Officers on dutydirecting traffic will still wear their uniforms.

Sudbury Police 'walking the walk'

Perrassaid part of the decision to keep Sudbury police in the parade was because of the efforts Greater Sudbury Police have madewith the LGBT community in recent years.

"Here in Sudbury, we are actually very lucky. We have a very forward-thinking police chief," she said.

"We feel like the Sudbury police force is actually taking measures. They are walking the walk. They want to help," she said.

In recent years, the police force piloted a training video showing officers how to interact with members of the transgender community. The filmhas been used by other forces across the country.

Police going for 'asofter approach'

"We know that we've made strides, but we also know there's more strides to be made," said superintendentSheilahWeber.

Weber is a member of the force's inclusion team, which works to improve relationships with diverse groups within and outside of the organization.

"We thought if we had a softer approach this year, itmightmake those people who were triggered by the police uniform feel better," she said.

"Unlike other Pride parades, it's never been where we actually go with a cruiser decorated and a whole bunch of officers marching.We have always just intertwined and walked with the community."

Mixed opinions from LGBT community

Perrassaid members of theLGBTcommunity in Sudbury have had mixed opinions on the decision.

Banning the uniformbut not the officersstrikes a compromise, she said.

"There are going to be people who don't want [police]involved at all. There are going to be people who want them to march in full uniform. And everything in between. And everybody's opinions are valid," she said.

Perrassaid police will also be taking part in other Pride events throughout the week.

Who are we to deny this olive branch?- Sudbury Pride acting Chair Kelly Perras

"We feel like, 'who are we to deny this olive branch?' Progress is progress. We have to go somewhere," she said.

"We have to remember the past, and bevigilantand be aware, but we also have to take steps forward where those steps are offered."