RCMP hosted a open house with Kamloops Pride (image credit - CFJC Totday)

By Michael Reeve

KAMLOOPS PRIDE WEEK

‘This is a really good first step’: Kamloops Pride hopeful of better relationship with RCMP

Aug 23, 2022 | 4:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — “I understand there is a lot of work to do but I think this is a really good first step. I like to see they are willing to hear,” said Kamloops Pride President Ashton O’Brien.

It was an afternoon of constructive dialogue between the RCMP and the Kamloops Pride Society as the groups looked to build bridges between them. O’Brien hopes the event can serve as a jumping off point for a fresh relationship.

“I think that it is really good that the RCMP is beginning to do some of this outreach and reach out to the community and try to breakdown some of those barriers in the past,” said O’Brien.

The Kamloops RCMP detachment reached out to Pride about the idea as soon as Pride announced the return of in-person events this year.

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“We really wanted to be a part of that and start to build a relationship and start to build bridges with the Kamloops Pride Society and 2SLGBTQPIA+ community. And we thought having an open house and invite people in to come and speak with us and share their concerns was a great starting point for that,” said Cpl. Dana Napier.

The local school district was also on hand at the North Shore office, providing support to any and all potential students, teachers or facility members who wished to participate.

“It’s really important for all of our students to have a sense of inclusion and community. We feel that as a district we need to have a visual and visible support showing for our students and their families and our staff members,” said Dyan Gunnlaugson.

Overall, O’Brien hopes that simple conversations can be the catalyst of progress between Pride and the local cops.

“I really hope so. I really hope there are people that are able to come down and share some of their feedback and experiences. Just to build some understanding, I think that’s where we need to start. Who better than the people who have experienced it to share that?” stated O’Brien.

Kamloops Pride Week ends on Sunday (Aug 28) with the Pride Parade marching through downtown Kamloops at 11:00 AM.