Dorset's Chief Constable has apologised to the LGBT+ community for past homophobic witch-hunts and discriminatory law enforcement by the force.

Amanda Pearson made the formal apology in the form of a letter to LGBT+ campaigner Peter Tatchell.

In the letter Mrs Pearson expressed regret for the harm caused by the often abusive way that the police had enforced historic anti-LGBT+ laws.

She said: “It is clear that the way in which previous laws were enforced and the associated police activities caused significant harm, trauma, anger and injustice to LGBT+ communities, which has severely damaged trust and confidence in policing and we have a lot of work to do build that trust.

“As Chief Constable of Dorset Police, I want to apologise for the way in which those laws were enforced and for any physical and mental harm and trauma that this caused to LGBT+ individuals and communities in Dorset as a result.

"I know that there were local examples of this in Dorset and the feelings of how this happened continue to affect and influence the trust and confidence of the LGBT+ community in policing.” 

Pearson’s letter then went on to outline eight policy initiatives designed to consult with the  LGBT+ community and improve police-LGBT+ relations. 

The Chief Constable is the thirteenth UK police chief to apologise, following similar apologies by the heads of the Metropolitan, City of London, Sussex, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Gwent, Avon & Somerset, Cambridgeshire, West Mercia, North Yorkshire, Wiltshire and Nottinghamshire forces.

Her apology is in response to the #ApologiseNow campaign initiated by the Peter Tatchell Foundation. The campaign was backed by comedian and TV presenter Paul O’Grady before his death.

Peter Tatchell expressed his gratitude for Amanda Pearson’s apology.

He said: “My immense gratitude to Amanda for her forthright apology to the LGBT+ community on behalf of Dorset Police – and for the positive, supportive and inclusive LGBT+ policies she set out in her letter to me. 

“Some people in power find it hard to say sorry for past wrongs. Amanda Pearson didn’t hesitate or evade the need for a clear apology. T

"That marks her out as a commendable police chief. She’s backed up her apology with eight policy initiatives to better serve LGBT+ staff and the wider LGBT+ community. We thank her and her officers.  

Mr Tatchell added: “This apology does the Dorset Police proud and will win much appreciation and praise from the LGBT+ community. It will go a long way towards securing a more constructive, collaborative relationship between Dorset police and LGBT+ people – further building trust and cooperation. 

“Saying sorry helps draw a line under past police homophobia. It’s a laudable continuation of the great work the police have been doing in recent years. I hope it will inspire more LGBTs to report hate crime, domestic abuse and sexual assaults, which is what we all want.” 

The Peter Tatchell Foundation continues to urge every Chief Constable in the UK to apologise for their force’s historic homophobic persecution in decades past. 

The #ApologiseNow petition can be read and signed at ApologiseNow.com 

To read Chief Constable Pearson letter in full visit www.petertatchellfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dorset-Police-response-to-Peter-Tatchell-Feb-2024.pdf