Pride Winnipeg says police officers welcome at parade, but not in uniform
WINNIPEG — Pride Winnipeg is inviting police officers to march in its annual parade, but not in uniform.
The organization tells CTV Winnipeg that officers will be free to represent the police force by wearing WPS-branded clothing or carrying banners, but police cruisers and uniformed officers will not be part of the parade celebrating and supporting LGBTQ rights.
On-duty police officers in uniform will provide traffic control and security along the perimeter of the parade, to be held June 4.
The role of uniformed police officers during pride events has been the subject of debate since Toronto’s Pride Parade last summer, when Black Lives Matter temporarily halted the parade until organizers signed off on a number of demands.