chief constable has mentioned he’s “sick” of police “getting used as a tradition struggle soccer”, after criticism of officers who have been proven on social media dancing at an LGBTQ+ Delight occasion.
Officers from Lincolnshire Police have been seen performing the Macarena as a part of festivities in Lincoln on Saturday, with the tweet attracting criticism from some Twitter customers, who referred to as it a “shame” and “embarrassing”.
The power’s chief constable Chris Haward had already defended his officers’ actions on the weekend, saying they didn’t “detract from their duties”.
However the chief constable of neighbouring West Midlands Police, Sir David Thompson, has additionally spoken up for the officers, and advised the criticism confirmed cops have been as a substitute getting caught up in a broader “tradition struggle”.
He drew a pointy distinction between the adverse views of some in the direction of the officers participating in an LGBTQ+ competition and different previous occasions, the place police had been proven dancing with festival-goers – with out remark.
Sir David mentioned: “I help @CCLincsPolice (Chris Haward).
“I see no criticism for policing dancing with communities at different occasions so is that this one thing about Delight?
“It’s seconds in a tour of obligation and achieved professionally. Important we have interaction at these occasions.”
Sir David, who’s retiring as head of England’s second largest power on the finish of the yr, added: “I’m sick of us being a tradition struggle soccer.”
He then posted hyperlinks to officers dancing at Simmerdown 2022 in Birmingham, with the remark “clearly one other outrage…”.
Sir David then re-published a hyperlink to a video exhibiting a feminine police officer dancing to Tradition Membership’s Do You Actually Wish to Harm Me, throughout a Commonwealth Video games occasion, with the remark “but extra…”
Beforehand, Mr Haward mentioned: “Lincolnshire Police officers have been at Delight to make it possible for everybody attending experiences a protected and joyful occasion.
“Lincoln Delight is a celebration of inclusivity and illustration inside the LGBTQ+ group and, as Lincolnshire Police, we’re there to help them and construct confidence in our service.
“I anticipate my officers and employees to have interaction with folks attending Delight; to talk, giggle, take part, and even dance, the place it’s acceptable to take action and doesn’t detract from their duties.”
He added: “Delight is without doubt one of the many fantastic group occasions within the county that we’re there to police but additionally to permit folks to look behind the uniform and see who we’re.”
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