Police chiefs slammed for plans to fly gay flag in all offices

Published on Wednesday 22 July 2009 20:47

ONE of Scotland's largest police forces has been criticised – for flying the gay flag.

In an effort to promote equality and diversity among the ranks, Grampian Police chiefs plan to put up the rainbow colours of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender flag in all their offices in the form of window stickers.

However, Conservative justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "I think that the entire community, either gay or straight, would much rather Grampian Police devoted more time to actually catching criminals.

"This is just them going through the motions of political correctness. It's a total waste of public money."

Last month, uniformed officers from Grampian, along with cadets and support staff, took part in Pride Scotia, Scotland's largest gay march. They were the largest group from a Scottish force at the event.

The force yesterday revealed the plans to display a rainbow window sticker in all its offices.

This is being done in conjunction with the first report into Grampian Police's single equality scheme.

It aims to help the force develop in areas covering age, disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation.

But PC Derek Allison, the officer in charge of the sticker scheme, admitted that some people might not even know what the stickers stood for.

He said: "It is a great way of advertising the Grampian Police commitment and understanding of equality and diversity.

"The rainbow colours are recognised worldwide and for our communities to see this being displayed in all police offices is very positive."

"There may be some people who will not be aware of what the stickers represent but it is hoped that with them being displayed so openly they will prompt people to ask," he added.