Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau says he will wear his uniform while marching in the Capital Pride Parade.
In response to an op-ed piece from an officer in the Ottawa Citizen, Bordeleau said on Twitter that “my plan is to march in the parade, in uniform, with my members.”
Last Friday, Capital Pride asked officers not to wear their uniforms while participating in the parade. In a statement, Capital Pride said “we respectfully request that participating officers reserve their uniforms and vehicles for official work duties this year.”
The organization said many people who attended consultation meetings, particularly LGBTQ2 youth, felt uniformed police officers should not participate in Capital Pride activities off-duty. It added many other community members said inclusion in Capital Pride for them means inclusion of uniformed police.
Shortly after Capital Pride released its letter asking off-duty officers not wear uniforms in the parade, Chief Bordeleau issued a statement saying a decision had already been made not to register an OPS float or vehicle in this year’s parade. Bordeleau added officers will have the choice as to wear their uniform or regular clothes.
“We are proud of our uniform, and it is part of our identity – it’s who we are and how we serve the community,” Bordeleau said last Friday.
Councillor Allan Hubley is calling on the City to review of taxpayers’ contributions to Capital Pride. But Mayor Jim Watson says he does not support pulling city funding from the annual Pride event.
