Fridae

More than 30 uniformed officers, a dozen police support staff and senior officers including straight and married Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon joined Melbourne's seventh annual Pride March on Sunday.

The police contingent received cheers and applause from the crowds as well as six drag queens dressed as police officers in blue uniforms, including police caps and handcuffs, complemented by large rhinestone necklaces, mini skirts and stiletto heels carrying placards saying, "thanks Christine" and "thanks Victoria and Federal Police".

Not all were pleased with the police participation. Talk-back radio callers criticised her break with past police policy while Opposition Leader Denis Napthine said police wanting to join in should do so in their own time.

"It is inappropriate for the Chief Commissioner to take part in this march and it is also wrong for police officers to be paid to march in their uniforms," he told the Canberra Times.

Last July, the ban on uniformed police officers participating in the march was overturned.

Ms Nixon told the paper that she had received 25 e-mails from serving officers opposing the move, but defended it as supporting gay and lesbian police and showing police were part of the community.

"It is about Victoria Police showing that they are committed to the whole community? it is my responsibility to make sure the Victoria Police bridges the community, she said.

"I think it is probably a break from previous tradition, but I think it is an important step."

Ms Nixon was literally "mobbed" by both the straight and gay media, TV news, and as well as all gays and lesbians all wanting to congratulate her, or to have photos taken with her after the march.

More than 70 other gay, lesbian and community groups including Lesbian Parents, gay radio station JOY Melbourne FM and Chinese lesbian group Yellow Kitty participated in the march.