8 Aug 2008 - Further statement by police re Pride Toiletgate
Steve
Allen
Commander,
City of Westminster
Room D216
Charing Cross Police Station
Agar Street
London
WC2N 4DH
8th August 2008
On Tuesday evening, 29th July, I together with other MPS colleagues, met
with a number of people from the transgender communities in an open
meeting in Westminster. This meeting came about as a consequence of
events during Pride celebrations on 5 July.
The meeting generated a lively and helpful discussion about a range of
issues covering the relevant incidents and wider issues of trust and
confidence between the police and trans people. There were a number of
areas talked about where I believe the MPS can now make further progress
as a result.
The point was made, a number of times during the evening, about the need
for us all to listen to and learn from each other.
Part of the learning has been about the impact on the trans communities
of early responses from the MPS. In particular, it is clear that my
"open letter" had a very different impact from the one I intended. My
intention was to provide reassurance that a senior officer had taken
ownership and was determined to learn the organisational lessons that
would undoubtedly emerge.
I offer my personal and sincerest apology that my letter did not have
the effect I had intended and upon closer reflection I can see why this
caused deep upset to some of the trans communities. It was never my
intention to suggest that my officer's actions would not be investigated
or that there would be no need to offer advice and improved training to
him and his colleagues.
It is clear that members of the trans communities and the officer found
themselves involved in a set of circumstances for which the trans
communities were not responsible. They were clearly the victims. It
has been claimed that the demonstrators assaulted stewards - examination
of CCTV evidence demonstrates that these claims are mistaken. Despite
the best endeavours and intentions of the officer, these obviously came
across in a way, which caused misinterpretation, confusion and hurt.
I hope that the response of the MPS speaks more loudly than my initial
choice of words. We have taken ownership of the issues at a very senior
level; we have circulated advice about the GRA to our officers; we have
resolved the complaint against the police officer to the satisfaction of
the party involved and continue to investigate with full vigour a number
of criminal offences connected with these events. We have also, of
course, held an open meeting to maintain dialogue with the community.
I have asked the Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate to hold a
de-brief of these events with MPS practitioners to ensure we get the
maximum learning from them. I know that a significant issue to be taken
forward is the raising of awareness and training of our staff and the
Diversity & Citizen Focus Directorate are now looking at options that
further expand our developing partnerships with our transgender support
associations who can assist us with our continued learning of this
complex arena of diversity.
We have to start from where we are, not where we would like to be.
Mistakes have been made and I and certainly my colleagues within the
Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate are aware of the disappointment
and anxieties the trans communities have felt over this highly
regrettable incident. We have for some years striven to understand the
many issues, which beset the trans communities and in so many ways we
have succeeded in listening and responding.
Obviously the MPS has let you down on this occasion for which we have to
double our efforts to repair and restore the much needed trust and
confidence which can enable us to progress these issues in order to
deliver very real and meaningful change.
Regards
Steve Allen
Commander
Commander,
City of Westminster
Room D216
Charing Cross Police Station
Agar Street
London
WC2N 4DH
8th August 2008
On Tuesday evening, 29th July, I together with other MPS colleagues, met
with a number of people from the transgender communities in an open
meeting in Westminster. This meeting came about as a consequence of
events during Pride celebrations on 5 July.
The meeting generated a lively and helpful discussion about a range of
issues covering the relevant incidents and wider issues of trust and
confidence between the police and trans people. There were a number of
areas talked about where I believe the MPS can now make further progress
as a result.
The point was made, a number of times during the evening, about the need
for us all to listen to and learn from each other.
Part of the learning has been about the impact on the trans communities
of early responses from the MPS. In particular, it is clear that my
"open letter" had a very different impact from the one I intended. My
intention was to provide reassurance that a senior officer had taken
ownership and was determined to learn the organisational lessons that
would undoubtedly emerge.
I offer my personal and sincerest apology that my letter did not have
the effect I had intended and upon closer reflection I can see why this
caused deep upset to some of the trans communities. It was never my
intention to suggest that my officer's actions would not be investigated
or that there would be no need to offer advice and improved training to
him and his colleagues.
It is clear that members of the trans communities and the officer found
themselves involved in a set of circumstances for which the trans
communities were not responsible. They were clearly the victims. It
has been claimed that the demonstrators assaulted stewards - examination
of CCTV evidence demonstrates that these claims are mistaken. Despite
the best endeavours and intentions of the officer, these obviously came
across in a way, which caused misinterpretation, confusion and hurt.
I hope that the response of the MPS speaks more loudly than my initial
choice of words. We have taken ownership of the issues at a very senior
level; we have circulated advice about the GRA to our officers; we have
resolved the complaint against the police officer to the satisfaction of
the party involved and continue to investigate with full vigour a number
of criminal offences connected with these events. We have also, of
course, held an open meeting to maintain dialogue with the community.
I have asked the Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate to hold a
de-brief of these events with MPS practitioners to ensure we get the
maximum learning from them. I know that a significant issue to be taken
forward is the raising of awareness and training of our staff and the
Diversity & Citizen Focus Directorate are now looking at options that
further expand our developing partnerships with our transgender support
associations who can assist us with our continued learning of this
complex arena of diversity.
We have to start from where we are, not where we would like to be.
Mistakes have been made and I and certainly my colleagues within the
Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate are aware of the disappointment
and anxieties the trans communities have felt over this highly
regrettable incident. We have for some years striven to understand the
many issues, which beset the trans communities and in so many ways we
have succeeded in listening and responding.
Obviously the MPS has let you down on this occasion for which we have to
double our efforts to repair and restore the much needed trust and
confidence which can enable us to progress these issues in order to
deliver very real and meaningful change.
Regards
Steve Allen
Commander