WA Police will march in uniform at the Pride Parade on Saturday night. It’s the first time Western Australian officers have been given permission to wear their uniforms in the parade.
Officer from the WA Police force have taken part in the parade in previous years, but until now have had to appear in plain clothes. A spokesman for WA Police confirmed that permission had been granted.
Their counterparts in NSW have been marching in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in uniform for several years, and Queensland Police began participating in Brisbane’s Pride Parade in 2015.
Also taking part in the parade this year will be the WA Police band and the Australian Federal Police. The Police Pipe Band has taken part in the parade in recent years, marching in uniform, but this is the first time police officers have been given permission to march in uniform.
The inclusion of police officers comes as the state government works towards removing historical convictions from people who were charged with gay sex offences prior to the deciminalisation of homosexuality in 1989.
The WA Police however have a long history of supporting the Pride Parade. Nineteen years ago the City of Perth, under the leadership of Peter Natrass, argued that the starting time of the parade should be pushed back until 11pm. The WA Police were one of the organisations that advocated for the start time to remain at 8pm.
OIP Staff , image: NSW Police March in the 2016 Mardi Gras Parade, Jeffrey Feng.
18-11-16 The article was updated to improve clarify, highlighting that the Police Pipe Band has taken part in the parade in uniform for several years.
