The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has declined to apologize to the LGBT+ community for the force's historical homophobia. This decision has drawn criticism from campaigners, who view it as an insult, especially considering that 21 other police forces have already issued formal apologies for their past actions.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation, a human rights charity, initially requested all police forces to apologize for the decades-long mistreatment of the LGBT+ community. However, in a recent letter, GMP's Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, refused to offer a general apology. He stated that such an apology could be perceived as superficial and performative, potentially unfairly criticizing the service of past officers.
Peter Tatchell, the director of the foundation, expressed his disappointment, highlighting the suffering the LGBT+ community endured at the hands of the Manchester police in the past. He has appealed to the Chief Constable to reconsider, referencing the troubling history of the force under the late Chief Constable Sir James Anderton in the 1980s.
During the AIDS crisis, Anderton made controversial statements about gay men, leading to calls for his resignation. Tatchell emphasized that GMP has a particularly problematic history of homophobia that warrants specific acknowledgement and an apology. He noted that Anderton's comments were not isolated and that the force targeted gay venues, resulting in the outing and harassment of gay and bisexual men.
Tatchell argued that refusing to apologize adds to the harm caused. He emphasized that apologies are acts of justice and healing, demonstrating leadership and empathy. He pointed out that 21 other forces have recognized the importance of acknowledging past wrongs to rebuild trust with the LGBT+ community and encourage reporting of hate crimes and violence.
In his refusal letter, Chief Constable Watson acknowledged the progress made by GMP over the past 40 years and its zero-tolerance approach to discrimination. He expressed regret that GMP did not always meet the standards expected by the communities it serves. However, he also stated that it would be unjust to make a sweeping statement about the conduct of the force over a prolonged period, particularly when the period is so distant that current officers have no personal knowledge of it. He believed that such an apology could be seen as superficial and would unfairly criticize the service of past officers.
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