Devon and Cornwall Police urged to apologise for past homophobia
The letter is part of the #ApologiseNow campaign, urging all Chief Constables to say sorry to the LGBT+ community
Last updated 22nd Aug 2023
Devon and Cornwall Police are being urged to apologise for past homophobia.
A letter has been sent to our Force, asking the Chief Constable to follow lead of Met Police.
The call comes in a letter to the Chief Constable, Jim Cowell, from the veteran human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell.
He said: "The Devon and Cornwall police force was very homophobic in past decades and went out of its way to target consenting, victimless behaviour that harmed no one.
"It wrecked the lives of many LGBT+ people.
"I hope that a formal apology will be made to the LGBT+ community. It would help further improve LGBT+ trust and confidence in the police, which is what we all want.
"We do not expect an apology from the police for enforcing historic homophobic laws. What we are requesting is an apology for the often abusive and threatening way those laws were enforced - ways that would be deemed illegal and unacceptable today."
The letter is part of the #ApologiseNow campaign, urging all Chief Constables to say sorry to the LGBT+ community.
The letter to Devon and Cornwall Police reads: "My gratitude to you and your officers for your current supportive policies towards the LGBT+ community. It is excellent progress.
"However, previously, for many decades, attitudes and practices were very different.
"In order to draw a line under the past extreme persecution of LGBT+ people by UK police, including your own force, I hope that you will agree that some expression of remorse is appropriate..."
The campaign was backed by the comedian and TV presenter Paul O’Grady before his death.
Peter added: "Sir Mark Rowley has already said sorry on behalf of the Metropolitan Police and backed it up with a new LGBT+ plan for London and the appointment of LGBT+ Community Liaison Officers in every London borough. Similar apologies have also been made by the Chief Constables of Sussex and South Yorkshire.
"Their stance is backed by the Chief Constable of Northumbria, Vanessa Jardine, in her capacity as the lead on LGBT+ policy among chief constables across the UK. She has written to all Chief Constables supporting calls for them to say sorry. The appeal for Chief Constables to apologise is also endorsed by the National Police LGBT+ Network of serving LGBT+ officers."
In response from Devon and Cornwall Police, they said: "We can confirm that the Force has received the letter, which will be discussed at the next meeting of the Force Executive Board."