The PSNI’s LGBT+ network has said it is "bitterly disappointed" by an announcement that officers participating in the Belfast Pride events can no longer wear their uniforms.
Assistant chief constable Bobby Singleton said he understood the decision would be disappointing for some.
But he added that the PSNI had "statutory obligations to act with fairness, integrity and impartiality".
Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in the Pride parade this month. The theme is "Stand By Your Trans" and it will feature more than 150 events over 10 days, with the main parade taking place on July 29.
In previous years, some officers have walked in the parade in uniform.
However, on Friday the PSNI said its executive team had taken the decision that whilst police will still attend and participate in events this year, its officers and staff will not take part in uniform.
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Mr Singleton, Gold Commander for Belfast Pride, said: "Having personally engaged with members of the LGBTQIA+ community at a number of events in recent months and met with our own LGBT+ network on this issue, I know that this decision will come as a disappointment to some.
"As a police service, we have had to carefully consider this request from our LGBT+ network on its merits, the stated purposes and circumstances surrounding the parade and our statutory obligations to act with fairness, integrity and impartiality, whilst upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all individuals, their traditions and beliefs.
"Our broader participation in this and other Pride events continues to be an important element of our outreach and engagement highlighting the valuable role that LGBTQIA+ officers and staff play in our service, that we are an employer and service for all and that hate crime in whatever form is wrong."
The service’s LGBT+ network responded saying: “Being visible as a public service in Pride parades inspired hundreds of LGBT+ people to take up policing as a career, it let out communities know that we were part of them and that we stood alongside them against hate crime & discrimination.
“Our network (formerly the Gay Police Association) has been participating in Belfast pride in t-shirts since 2007 and in uniform since 2017, to an incredibly positive reception from the public.
“It has not been made clear to use what has changed for this year or why previously agreed forms of Pride participation have now been withdrawn by the senior executive team. We disagree with this decision.”
Officer and representative of the PSNI LGBT+ Paul Bloomer said: “I am heartbroken. Just heartbroken, it took us years of work to get to that point and to walk away, just hurts.”
I’m heartbroken. Just heartbroken, it took us years of work to get to that point and to walk away, just hurts. https://t.co/JM5LqzMdY0
— Paul Bloomer (@Bloomeroid) July 14, 2023
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir condemned the decision, stating he was left feeling truly despondent: “Participation by police officers & staff in Pride parade was positive progress for policing and LGBTQ+ community, gutted to see years of good work being undone by today’s backward step.”
SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said he had written to the chief constable seeking an urgent meeting with him and leaders within the LGBT+ community.
"There has been significant damage to LGBT+ community confidence in policing caused by their decision to withdraw from Belfast Pride," he said.
But TUV councillor Timothy Gaston welcomed the decision and said the PSNI had "no business" taking part in the parade.
