Police officers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison police and Dane County Sheriff's Office will not march in Madison's upcoming Pride Parade because some LGBTQ community members voiced concerns about feeling unsafe with officers participating armed and in uniform, according to NBC News.
Organizers had previously approved police marching in the parade as long as officers wore plainclothes.
Madison police Lieutenant Brian Chaney Austin — who founded Madison Police Department Pride — said he’s disappointed but hopes to further dialogue between the groups.