Victoria Police will not participate in Melbourne's annual Pride March after organizers of the event changed their policy regarding police uniforms.

The Midsumma Festival, which hosts the Pride March, announced that police officers would only be allowed to participate in plain clothes or a branded polo, not in uniform or with tactical equipment, as in previous years.

In a statement released on February 2, Victoria Police expressed their disappointment, stating that this decision feels like a step backwards for inclusion, especially for LGBTIQ+ officers who wish to celebrate while wearing their uniforms as their authentic selves.

Nonetheless, uniformed police officers will still attend the event to ensure community safety and public order.

The organizers of the Midsumma Festival indicated that their decision aimed to adopt a trauma-informed approach following consultations with the community and stakeholders.

This policy shift came after last year's Pride March, during which Victoria Police faced confrontation from up to 50 protesters, resulting in accusations of hostility from both sides.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton criticized the protestors' behavior, while some activist groups alleged violence from the police.

The festival organizers have clarified that their new conditions also exclude armed security personnel from accompanying march groups.

They have committed to gathering feedback after this year's event to inform future planning.

Transgender Victoria (TGV), a prominent community organization, also withdrew from the March citing ongoing concerns regarding interactions with Victoria Police.

The organization has called for systemic reforms in areas including pride, protest, public safety, and TGD human rights, emphasizing the need for comprehensive cultural sensitivity training and improvements in gender data collection.

Despite the withdrawal, both Victoria Police and TGV have expressed a willingness to continue efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the LGBTIQ+ communities.

In a related instance, Sydney Mardi Gras announced earlier that it would allow uniformed police officers to participate again from 2025, after having previously banned them from the 2024 march due to similar community concerns.

The Pride March remains a key event in Midsumma Festival, reflecting broader conversations on inclusion, representation, and the historical tensions between law enforcement and the LGBTIQ+ communities.