Canada's police chiefs apologize for opposition to decriminalize homosexuality
Police group opposed move to decriminalize homosexuality in 1960s, says association
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) has apologized for its historical mistreatment of LGBTQ communities in Canada.
In a video message CACP president Bryan Larkin, who is Chief of the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), noted that the association publicly opposed changes to the Criminal Code in the late 1960s that decriminalized homosexuality. In the years that followed, Canadian police continued to harass and persecute diverse communities.
"Our decisions and actions legitimized attitudes and beliefs that were discriminatory," said Larkin.
"We take responsibility for our past wrongdoings, and on behalf of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, I am sorry."
Even after homosexuality was decriminalized, Larkin said police targeted LGBTQ Canadians. Police raided gay bars and bath houses, where many people were charged simply for being present.
Police officers have been themselves been forced to hide their sexuality and live double lives to avoid persecution, violence and job loss, Larkin said.
'We must be accountable'
Today, LGBTQ Canadians continue to face harassment and physical attacks, and are at a higher risk for substance abuse and suicide, Larkin said. Some won't seek emergency medical care due to their fear of discrimination.
"We will never fully comprehend the damage our actions and decisions inflicted on countless Canadians we had a responsibility to support, protect and serve," said Larkin.
"If we truly desire to repair the harm we caused, we must be accountable for the damage we contributed to and take purposeful, public steps to repair the damage."
To that end, the CACP has released an equity and inclusion "toolkit" aimed at police services in Canada. The 67-page document covers the history of relationships between police and LGBTQ people in this country, as well as an overview of concepts such as the difference between sexual orientation and gender expression.
It also provides advice to police who wish to apologize for past harms and build better relationships with LGBTQ people going forward.
"Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, transgender and queer rights are human rights. Nobody should ever be persecuted simply because of who they are, and everyone should be treated fairly, with compassion and respect," said Larkin.