West Midlands Police chief declines opportunity to apologise for force’s ‘past homophobia’

The chief constable of West Midlands Police has released a full statement on why he has chosen not to apologise for his force’s previous homophobia.

Craig Guildford, who leads West Midlands Police, was asked to apologise by veteran human rights activist Peter Tatchell, over the force’s role in the arrest of thousands of gay and bisexual men before homosexuality was decriminalised in 2003.

Mr Tatchell had originally sent his first letter calling for an apology in April 2023. He claimed in the decades before the full decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2003, West Midlands officers went “out of their way to target and arrest thousands of gay and bisexual men for consenting, victimless behaviour.”

A follow up request was made on 11 May by Mr Tatchell with no further comment from West Midlands Police.

Mr Guildford, according to Mr Tatchell, has only now responded after being sent multiple letters and emails, including having a hard copy of his apology request put into Mr Guildford’s hands at Birmingham Pride over the weekend.

But Mr Guildford said West Midlands Police – the second largest police force in the country – was responsible for enforcing laws which would be viewed “very differently today”.

Read his letter below:

Dear Mr Tatchell

Thank you for your recent correspondence which was hand delivered to me at Birmingham Pride on Saturday by your marketing and media representative. We had a conversation where I apologised for not having written back sooner and he apologised for getting my name wrong.

Thank you for acknowledging the progress we are making as an organisation to support our LGBT+ external communities. Internally, West Midlands police has an increasing representation of LGBT+ staff at all ranks and supervisory positions across the force. This is important work both internally and externally for me as chief constable.

There is still work to do to ensure everyone within the West Midlands, and indeed this country feels safe and happy to be who they are, to love who they truly love, and to be their whole self both in the workplace and in public without judgement or fear.

Historically, West Midlands police, like all other police forces in England and Wales, was responsible for enforcing laws which we all would view very differently today. I make that statement as a father, a police officer of 30 years-service and as chief constable.

Thankfully law makers here and elsewhere have continued to interpret and acknowledge the views of contemporary society. We can all opine on how long some changes can often take.

Of salience, legislation came into effect on 1 October 2012 that allows people in England with convictions and cautions for acts (which are no longer unlawful), to apply to the Home Office to have these offences disregarded from their criminal records.

“As I shared with your representative at Pride, I have read my predecessor’s correspondence and politely decline your invitation to make a formal apology. The role of the police is to apply the laws made by politicians who you and I elect as citizens of this country without fear of favour. I remain positively optimistic for the future and personally respect the well-argued historic references contained within it.

“I led the WMP march at Birmingham Pride this year, my first as chief constable of West Midlands police. I believe our attendance illuminates a clear message that I, and WMP, stand side by side with the LGBT+ community, and will continue to do so without fear or favour.

Yours sincerely

Craig Guildford QPM VR DL Chief Constable