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The Ottawa Police Service is defending its decision to wrap a cruiser in rainbows amid public and officer criticism that the effort is a waste of taxpayers’ money and compromises police neutrality.

The force unveiled the cruiser at the launch of Capital Pride Week events Monday outside police headquarters on Elgin Street. Gone were the signature blue and red stripes, and in their place was a rainbow band of Pride colours.

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In the days that followed, the cruiser was the subject of much conversation on social media and ignited debate within the force on whether the goodwill move was the right decision.

Andre Meunier called the cruiser a “terrible” waste and embarrassment in a tweet to Chief Charles Bordeleau.

“We’re in the business of policing,” one officer told the Citizen, who asked not to be named. “Not pandering to special interest groups.”

Staff Sgt. Dave Zackrias heads the diversity and race relations unit, which came up with the idea for and funded the cruiser.