The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has delivered an apology and statement of regret to the State’s LGBTIQ+ communities as well as LGBTIQ+ QPS members, past and present, for historical mistreatment.
According to QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll, last year the Police Service and the Committee of Brisbane Pride Incorporated each committed to collaborate on the historic apology.
Delivering the apology, Commissioner Carroll (pictured) said the service was proud that over the past 30 years it had built an emerging and positive relationship with LGBTIQ+ communities.
“This partnership was made possible by both the dedicated members of the QPS and the LGBTIQ+ communities, who strived to cultivate a new era of respect that transcended the past,” the Commissioner said.
“We must acknowledge for much of its history, the QPS inflicted profound pain upon Queensland’s LGBTIQ+ people by enforcing laws that criminalised homosexual activity between consenting adults.
She said this had been an extremely emotional and challenging time.
“To all those directly and indirectly impacted by the discrimination and prejudice from these laws, which were enforced by the QPS, I am sorry for this profound hurt and pain,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“I am also sorry to those within our own organisation who experienced discrimination and prejudice.”
In recognising the significant milestone, Commissioner Carroll said the monumental progress of the QPS in recent years reflected a better and more representative policing organisation in Queensland.
“Discrimination towards LGBTIQ+ people is not acceptable and the QPS will continue to work to eliminate it,” the Commissioner said.
