Edmonton police officers won’t be wearing uniforms for Pride parade

The service later met with the festival society to discuss what could be done to build bridges.

As a result, both city police and Alberta RCMP have decided to walk in civilian clothing in this year’s parade.

“We can highlight the individuals that are beyond the badge — the people who actually make up the Edmonton Police Service,” said Doucette. “We are individuals. We are parents, we’re grandparents, we’re siblings, we’re allies with the LGBTQ, we’re oftentimes parents of, or are members of the community itself and that gets lost with the uniform.”

He said each of the 50 or so officers who participate will wear an individualized T-shirt.

“We’re not putting any parameters about what any individual are going to put on their shirt,” he said. “We have people from the LGBTQ community in our service, so you may see people put that on there — that they’re gay, that they’re lesbian, that they’re married to a man or that they are the mother of a gay youth.”

RCMP officers from the Edmonton area will also attend the parade out of uniform.

“Participants will be wearing RCMP Pride T-shirts, as proud employees of the RCMP, in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremie Landry of the RCMP.

Clayton Hitchcock, who’s the community engagement committee chair for the Edmonton Pride Festival Society, said they are hopeful the initiative by the Edmonton Police Service and RCMP will help marginalized members of the community feel safer.

“The members and officers who attend the parade and festival volunteer to be there,” he said. “They are often allies and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

“Better connections between them and marginalized folks will help them bring about change within their organizations.”

Colette Derworiz, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Edmonton police officers won’t be wearing uniforms for Pride parade

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