A Watford LGBTQ+ charity has accused Herts Police of reversing its commitments on Pride support and backing out of dialogue.
Impactful Lives, based in George Street, says the force had given a written commitment to display the progress pride flag at community events in November, but failed to do so at Watford Pride Picnic on June 20.
The group, which was a third-party reporting centre for hate crime on behalf of Herts Police at the time, was not informed ahead of time and tried to arrange a meeting to discuss the change in approach.
It was apparently told that legal advice and national policing guidance had led to an assessment that the imagery could be seen as representing a political movement or cause.
Herts Police would therefore continue attending pride events, but officers would not display the symbols in any official capacity.
Chief Constable Andy Prophet initially agreed to meet in person to discuss this last week, but withdrew the offer later the same day, Impactful lives added.
Chair of trustees Andrew Waite said: “This is about considerably more than a flag. It is about whether the LGBTQ+ community can rely upon assurances given by its chief constable and whether Hertfordshire Constabulary is prepared to listen when those assurances are not honoured.”
He added: “We are not asking Hertfordshire Constabulary to disregard the law. We are asking it to explain precisely what the law requires, distinguish that from operational choice, and engage with the people most affected by its decisions.”
Impactful Lives explained that visible reassurance is important for LGBTQ+ people deciding whether it is safe to approach an officer, report a crime, or disclose personal information.
It has now withdrawn from its role as a reporting centre with the police, but remains willing to participate in “constructive dialogue”.
Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “The constabulary will continue to support all communities and treat everybody with respect and dignity.
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“After careful review I have revised our position around the use of the pride and progress flags and they will no longer be displayed. Nothing else has changed.
“We continue to maintain close contact with LGBTQ+ communities inside and outside the organisation as we do with many others.
“I would like to reiterate that we are here to police for all communities in Hertfordshire, supporting victims and pursuing offenders irrespective of who they are.”
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