Amid criticism from leading public figures, the Executive yesterday amended legislation governing the conduct of gay police officers. The clause in Legislative Decree 1150, which covers regulations on police conduct, including corruption, stated that officers would be forced to retire if they were in a gay relationship that was damaging to the police force’s image.
The word ‘homosexual’ has been removed from the clause, which now refers to any and all sexual relationships “that cause a scandal and undermine the image of the institution.”
The amendment was published in El Peruano on Dec. 14.
However, Cesar San Martin, the outgoing president of the Judiciary, had criticized not only the “criminalization or punishment” for lifestyle options but warned that the use of the word “scandal” in the legislation was much too broad a description and would inevitably lead to “many problems.” He said ” a much finer line must be drawn” in the description.
The People’s Ombudsman, Eduardo Vega, also criticized the disproportionate punishment —forced retirement— considering that the punishment for an officer found to be mistreating physically or psychologically any family member under his care is merely a suspension of 11 to 15 days.
