Force cites legal duty of impartiality after court judgment
Norfolk Constabulary has told staff that they must not take part in next week’s Norwich Pride parade while in uniform, continuing a policy adopted last year following a High Court conclusion that uniformed participation could breach the police duty to remain politically neutral.
The edict means officers who want to join the march on July 25 may do so only when they are off duty and not wearing police uniform. The force will nevertheless provide a policing presence at the event to carry out public order and safety duties.
In previous years, Norfolk officers have been visible participants at Pride, sometimes wearing rainbow face paint, taking photographs with attendees and joining in celebratory activities. The force says it will issue advice to those officers who will be stationed at the parade on what level of engagement with the festivities is permitted while performing duty.
“Our policy remains the same following a High Court judicial review ruling last year which stated that uniformed officers taking part in Pride would constitute a breach of impartiality,” the force said.
Background and legal context
The move follows a 2025 High Court judgement in which the participation of uniformed officers in Pride parades was found to be unlawful because it risked compromising the requirement for the police to stay neutral on political and social issues. The legal challenge in that case was brought by a woman who argued that police participation in events promoting certain views on gender issues could prevent officers from remaining impartial in disputes involving those views.
The ruling has prompted forces across the country to reassess their policies on officers’ involvement in public demonstrations and cultural events carried out in uniform.
What this means for attendees and officers
- Uniformed officers will not march as part of Norwich Pride; they will remain on duty to ensure safety and public order.
- Officers and police staff can participate in the parade if they are off duty and not in uniform.
- The force will issue operational guidance to on-duty officers about the extent of permitted engagement with attendees while performing their duties.
Norfolk Constabulary has not published the full text of the new operational guidelines or set out precisely what on-duty staff will be allowed to do in terms of informal interaction with the public, such as taking photographs or wearing non-uniform symbols while on duty. The balance forces are having to strike is between supporting community engagement and complying with a legal duty to remain politically neutral.
| Item | Position |
|---|---|
| Uniformed participation | Not permitted |
| Off-duty participation (out of uniform) | Permitted |
| Police presence at event | Yes—public order duties |
The decision is likely to prompt discussion locally about how police-community relations can be maintained at public events where symbols and messages may be perceived as political by some. For now, organisers of Norwich Pride and those planning to attend can expect a continued policing presence, but fewer visible signs of formal police participation in the march itself.
