The Greater Sudbury Police Service said Monday it will continue to work toward repairing strained relationships in the community following the decision by Fierté Sudbury Pride to cancel the annual pride march because police would be involved as traffic safety escorts.
It was revealed on the weekend that Fierté Sudbury Pride cancelled the march.
The pride group said it agreed with a public concern voiced by Black Lives Matter Sudbury that the organization would not welcome the idea of police officers providing an escort to the pride march on municipal roads, as required by the Highway Traffic Act.
"The role of the Greater Sudbury Police Service during community events including events that occupy roadways, is to ensure the safety of participants and the community, as well as, the orderly flow of traffic," said an email statement from GSPS Corporate Communications Coordinator Kaitlyn Dunn.
Regardless of any hard feelings expressed, Dunn said the police service has worked toward building strong partnerships in the city.
"We take pride in serving the diverse communities of Greater Sudbury with an emphasis on respect and inclusivity," said Dunn.
"Through our Authentic Inclusion and Anti-racism reframing policing working groups comprised of GSPS members and external members of diverse communities including 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC, we continue to work towards repairing strained relationships with organizations, agencies and diverse communities in Greater Sudbury," said the police email.
The police statement also said GSPS is open to having conversations and consultations to get people talking to each other.
"As a learning organization, we welcome open dialogue and opportunities to make meaningful and impactful changes to improve our service-delivery model," said the email.
"We respect Fierté Sudbury Pride's decision and we will continue to work towards repairing and creating relationships built on mutual respect and understanding," the statement concluded.
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