Canadian LGBT Activists: New Police Strip Search Policy Is Progressive, Inclusive

LGBT activists in Canada are arguing that a new police strip search policy is “progressive” and “gender inclusive.” The new policy allows individuals to choose the gender of the officer that will search them.

In a bizarre twist, progressive LGBTQ are praising a new police strip search policy in Saskatoon, Canada, thanks to some “social justice” inspired changes. Now, citizens will be able to choose the gender of the officer that conducts their strip search.

Constable Derek Chesney said that the new policy was designed to cater to the unique needs of their diverse citizenship.

“Just being more inclusive and more respectful of people’s needs, basically … in a time of having your rights taken away from you being booked in detention, which is a scary time and an unsettling time, we want to make it as comfortable and respectful as we possibly can,” Chesney said in a comment.

“What we strive to do is … making things equal for everybody. I’d love to see more LGBT officers working for us. Right now, we have no openly gay male officers, and I think that’s something that needs to change,” Chesney added.

Chesney believes that the policy changes will make strengthen the relationship between police and local citizens. Other says that the policy changes have only come in response to a recent wave of criticism. Local progressives have accused the local police of misconduct against Indigenous women.

LGBTQ activist Amanda Guthrie praised the policy change, saying that the police service is making tremendous strides to recognize the needs of all citizens.

“I would hope that people reading this will see that if our police service here in Saskatoon is looking at creating a better service and more inclusive service, then hopefully they themselves in their own life can realize that maybe they have some learning to do on why this is necessary. I always hope that this sort of work, whether it’s a policy that’s relevant to a few or to many, that it has ripple effects, that’s always the goal,” she said.