The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) have confirmed that a meeting to review their management of Bermuda’s inaugural Pride Parade will take place over the coming weeks.

Commissioner of Police, Stephen Corbishley, commented:

“The Pride Parade on the 31st of August 2019 saw approximately 6,000 people take to the streets in support of LGBTQI+ communities in Bermuda.

The BPS was pleased to support the event and to help ensure that it passed off safely.

All persons in Bermuda, including members of the LGBTQI+ communities, should feel confident that they can exercise their rights freely and that the police will protect them from any unlawful discrimination.

Pride was a significant event with many challenges for the BPS to address in both operational terms and also in relation to community sensitivity.

Whilst I am extremely pleased with the actions of the BPS on the 31st of August which helped to ensure that the Pride Parade took place with no incidents of disorder, it is also important to reflect on how the event was planned; recognising that there will always be learning in policing large scale events and to consider the views of all in Bermuda.

The review meeting will assist this process and demonstrate that the BPS is both a listening and learning Service that respects and considers the views of all communities and its leaders.”