Gay police association launched (From Witney Gazette)

Gay police association launched

A NEW staff support association for Thames Valley Police will be officially launched on Wednesday.

Thames Valley Gay Police Association has been set up over the past six months after a gap in the provision of local support for gay and lesbian staff was identified.

The association will work to support LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) staff, tackle and reduce homophobic behaviour in the workplace, provide a critical friend for Thames Valley Police, provide operational support for the Force and assist in engagement with external communities.

Superintendent Robin Rickard, who leads on diversity for the Force, said: "We do a great deal of work with the numerous minority communities of the Thames Valley and it is important we also reflect this desire to be inclusive internally, as an employer.

"A steering group was set up in September to ensure the association was formed correctly, efficiently and with a clear purpose. I am proud of the progress they have made and look forward to seeing the association go from strength to strength."

PC Alistair Melling, the elected chairman of the association, feels there will be several important roles for the group to take on: "Although our key responsibility is to provide an internal support network for all staff - officers, Police Community Support Officers, police staff and contractors, such as those who work in custody employed by Reliance - we also want to improve our contacts in the gay and lesbian communities of Thames Valley and use these to benefit the public.

"A good network of contacts will help us provide a better service to victims of hate crime; give good advice and guidance to people with queries or concerns and will allow us to give specialist assistance to our own officers in certain operational situations."

The launch reception will see invited guests listen to speeches from key speakers including Chief Constable Sara Thornton and Mark Good, director of Tribal, who are the main sponsors for the event. This will be followed by a buffet prepared and served by catering students at Aylesbury College.