Attacks on Toronto police following the Pride parade Sunday, which was halted temporarily by Black Lives Matter, have come from those who "want to drive a wedge" between the force and this city's LGBT community, Toronto police chief Mark Saunders said in a letter obtained by CBC News Friday.

"They will not succeed," Saunders said in a letter first delivered to the police service in the aftermath of a deadly night in Dallas Thursday.

The violence in Texas saw five police officers shot dead by a gunman who claimed he "wanted to kill white people, especially white officers," according to that city's police chief David Brown.

The letter, obtained by CBC News, begins by acknowledging the "concerning" events in Dallas and a commitment by Saunders to protect Toronto police officers. Without making explicit mention of Black Lives Matter, Saunders quickly moves to the subject of Toronto's Pride parade, during which that group demanded the removal of police floats and booths from all future Pride parades, marches and community spaces.

"In the aftermath of a very successful and safe parade, attacks on the TPS have come, predictably, from those people," Saunders said in the letter, adding, "The attacks are inaccurate, irresponsible and inflammatory."

Read the full letter below:



What happened in Dallas last night and this morning is shocking. It is

beyond our comprehension. Our condolences are with the families of

those officers killed and injured.



Let me be clear. The safety of the men and women of the Toronto Police

Service, who serve and protect this city, day and night, is enormously

important to me. I will always make sure you have the best, and

safest, equipment, and the intelligence and training to provide you

with the greatest protection.



I understand how concerning the events in Dallas are, and I know you

will continue to take all necessary precautions. I also understand the

professionalism and courage of those who work in all the communities

of this city, reaching out to those who are vulnerable, building

relationships with marginalized communities, and helping communities

become more resilient. I am constantly reminded by community members

I speak with, how much they appreciate what you do for them.



I also want to address recent events surrounding the Pride parade.

There are clearly people in this city who want to drive a wedge

between the TPS and the LGBTQ communities. They will not succeed. It

must be a source of great anger to them that the TPS has made enormous

strides in recent years to enhance and develop our relationship with

those communities. The Service, internally and externally, has

demonstrated a willingness to learn, to develop, to work together, to

support each other. There is much to be done, but we have come a long

way.



In the aftermath of a very successful and safe parade, attacks on the

TPS have come, predictably, from those people. The attacks are

inaccurate, irresponsible and inflammatory.



That has been confirmed by the overwhelmingly positive response from

people all over the city. We have received many calls, emails, texts

and social media posts that tell us how much the people of Toronto

appreciate what you do. Members of the LGBT communities tell us they

appreciate and understand how much better our relationship is, how

they, indeed, feel served and protected by you and how strongly they

feel the TPS must continue to work closely with the LGBT communities.



I have said, again and again, that I will sit down with any person or

group who has ideas on better ways to reach out to marginalized

communities, on how to work to make the city safer and more inclusive.

That offer stands. I am interested in dialogue. What I am not

interested in is monologues from those with nothing to offer except

abuse and insult.



Recent events remind us how much public support there is for the TPS.

But we cannot rest. We have to continue to push forward, continue to

reach out to the most vulnerable and marginalized. With your support

and hard work, and the support of the people of Toronto, we will

succeed.