Commissioner responds to letter from Peter Tatchell

Dear Mr. Tatchell,

Thank you for your letter of 14 August 2023, and for your recognition of the policies we have put in place at the City of London Police to support and work with our LGBT+ Community.

Please accept this letter from City of London Police as our apology for the damaging way laws were enforced against the LGBT+ Community by policing historically.  We acknowledge that the persecution of the LGBT+ Community took place as the result of legislation which was, thankfully, abolished.  We accept that attitudes towards the LGBT+ Community and policing practices that occurred at that time were particularly harmful.

I understand the merit and importance of an apology for such practices and the detrimental impact it had on so many.  We have consulted our active LGBT+ staff network on this matter, who hold an important role in our force to both support colleagues and ensure we are supporting our LGBT+ community here in the City.

We value all members of our diverse communities.  Today, we place equity and inclusion at the heart of all we do. We have engaged in an Inclusivity Programme for every colleague, including Active Bystander training for leaders, to enable recognition and challenge of any discriminatory behaviour.  We are working to improve trust and confidence in our service, and to demonstrate our utmost dedication to being an equitable, inclusive, and modern police service.  We will not tolerate those who would discriminate, victimise, or marginalise members of our communities and will respond robustly where these behaviours are identified.

My hope is that this recognition of failings and harm to the LGBT+ Community, under the now abolished legislation, demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our relationships with the LGBT+ Community and all other communities we serve.

Our intention is to share this letter both internally and externally to reinforce that commitment.

Yours sincerely

Angela McLaren
Commissioner, City of London Police

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Download the letter from Peter Tatchell to Commissioner Angela McLaren