Police chief set to urge homosexuals to join force

BRITAIN’S most senior police officer will urge homosexuals to join the force in a video message to be played at a gay festival today.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens will appeal to thousands of homosexuals attending the National Pride Parade in London to consider a career in the force and help cut homophobic attacks.

“One way of reducing anti-gay hate crime is to contribute as a member of the MPS staff.

“I would encourage and positively welcome you to come and see if this is a career for you,” Mr Stevens will say.

Several forces, including the Met, will have recruitment stands at the parade, which will hand out application forms and encourage people to join the police.

In the message, which will appear on big screens at the parade, Mr Stevens will also welcome the force’s decision to allow gay police officers to wear their uniforms at the parade for the first time.

He will say their presence will help build confidence in the police and encourage victims of homophobic attacks to come forward.

Stephen Warwick, from the Gay Police Association, said this year’s event marked a new beginning in the relationship between the gay community and the police.