INTERNATIONAL LGBT LEO ISSUES

[bluepride]

Polish cops must pass tolerance test

Poland’s police force is engaged in a nationwide campaign to promote tolerance within its ranks, with officers being required to pass written tests to ascertain how open they are to gays and those from different ethnicities.

The initiative is part of the police force’s preparations for the Euro 2012 football championships next year.

Long-serving officers are obliged to participate in workshops, while new recruits must undertake a 60-question test aimed at gauging their open-mindedness on issues such as racial and sexual minorities.

Questions that new recruits must answer – as of June this year - range across many issues.

“What do you think about gender equality?” is one example.

“How would you react if someone you work with tells you that they are of a different sexual orientation?” reads another.

A manual on human rights has also been distributed among the force.

Read article: Polish cops must pass tolerance test

[bluepride]

Former police sergeant convicted of harassing law tutor after claiming lesbian relationship

A former police sergeant has been convicted of harassing her law tutor after claiming a same sex relationship.

Melanie Earnest, 39, of Penarth, pictured above, had claimed a seven-month lesbian affair with Cardiff University law tutor Ceri Hughes, of Thornhill, Cardiff, in 2008, which Miss Hughes vehemently denied.

District judge Andrew Shaw rejected absolutely the former police sergeant's assertions of a sexual relationship of any kind and described her as a "manipulative, clever and devious" witness who had lied to police.

The court had heard how the former police sergeant bombarded her law tutor with personal e-mails, phone calls and gifts in a campaign of harassment.

Earnest, 39, became infatuated with Ms Hughes, a member of staff at Cardiff University’s legal department, after taking a year out from her job as a South Wales Police sergeant to study law, magistrates in Caerphilly were told.

Read article: Former police sergeant convicted of harassing law tutor after claiming lesbian relationship

"Snog me, chew me, come and do me"? Um....yikes!

[bluepride]

Why flag for gay police group won't be flown at force's HQ

A row has broken out after a ban on flying a gay police flag from the Cambridgeshire force’s headquarters.

But police defended the ban, saying the decision was about “any flag” and not just the Gay Police Association standard.

The controversy was sparked after gay officers asked force chiefs if their flag could be flown from the mast at the Hinchingbrooke headquarters for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans (LGBT) month.

That request was refused and led to Chief Constable Simon Parr and leading officers banning the flying of all flags except the constabulary standard and the Union Flag.

Vic Codling, national co-ordinator for the Gay Police Association, said: “This decision is poor judgment on the part of the leadership of the force. There is a large gay community in Cambridge and this move just adds to their alienation.

“It removes the expectation that the police are gay-friendly and flies in the face of years of campaigning and change.

“If the Queen were to visit the headquarters and the force was asked to fly the Queen’s Household flag I expect this policy would quickly change.

“This is a backward step while other forces are doing much better. Suffolk and Norfolk forces fly the association’s flag so what is going on in Cambridgeshire?”

Other associations whose flags cannot be flown include Muslim, Christian and black police along with the International Police Association, Unison, Police Federation and the Women’s Network.

Read article: Why flag for gay police group won't be flown at force's HQ

[bluepride]

Hampshire Constabulary remains UK’s top police force for lesbian, gay and bisexual people

Hampshire Constabulary has maintained its place as the UK’s top police force for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

The force came fourteenth in this year’s Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, which ranks the country’s employees on their commitment to their LGB staff and communities.

Chief Constable Alex Marshall said: “My organisation is as committed now as it ever has been to providing an excellent service and ensuring everyone is treated fairly, equally and with respect.

“I applaud the achievements of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and all the organisations that enter into it. The fact the competition has become much tougher is testament to the progress the country as a whole is making in improving the quality of life for lesbian, gay and bisexual people both in the workplace and in our communities.”

Inspector Julie Fry chairs Hampshire Constabulary’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Group also added her praise.

“I’m extremely proud of the fact that we’ve maintained our sustainability as the best police service in the UK for the past six years and in the top ten over the last four years," she said.

“Our commitment to our LGB&T staff and communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remains undiminished and our position this year is a reflection of the increased number of larger organisations joining the index.


Read article: Hampshire Constabulary remains UK’s top police force for lesbian, gay and bisexual people

[bluepride]

Gwent Police is one of UK’s best for workplace equality

GWENT Police is one of the UK's top 100 employers promoting equality in the workplace.

The force comes in at number 82 in Stonewalls Workplace Equality Index, which showcases Britain's top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. Gwent Police was also named 'most improved Welsh employer' by Stonewall Cymru.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Prince said: "This is the fourth time Gwent Police has been in the top 100 since joining the workplace equality index in February 2006. It shows we are consistently making efforts to improve our working environment and the service we provide to the public."


Read article: Gwent Police is one of UK’s best for workplace equality

[bluepride]

Gay police officer wins racial and sexual orientation discrimination case against Scotland Yard

A gay police officer has won his case of racial and sexual orientation discrimination against London's Scotland Yard, it has been announced.

Kevin Maxwell, who worked in counter-terrorism, was subjected to offensive comments from other officers and seniors while working at Heathrow Airport in early 2009, the BBC report.

He won his case at Reading Employment Tribunal, this morning.
The environment became so toxic that Maxwell, 33, later suffered depression as a result.
In a dramatic twist, the tribunal also found that, in July 2010, an officer in the Met deliberately leaked a "distorted account" of the details of his claim to the Sun newspaper.

Solicitor Simon Cuthbert, who represented Maxwell throughout his case, told the BBC: "Such alleged practices and behaviour have no place in a modern police service.

"This welcome judgment represents a positive step in rooting out any remaining prejudice in the force."

A Scotland Yard spokesman responded: "We are disappointed at the tribunal's findings in favour of Detective Constable Maxwell on nine counts.

Read article: Gay police officer wins racial and sexual orientation discrimination case against Scotland Yard

[edmontongreg]

A Scotland Yard spokesman responded: "We are disappointed at the tribunal's findings in favour of Detective Constable Maxwell on nine counts.

We are disappointed in the findings of what the officers did to Maxwell or we are disappointed that the tribunal found in favour?

[admin]

Announcing a new LGBT Law Enforcement group from Europe:

"Rainbow Cops - BELGIUM" has recently been formed. It's one of a number of groups which have been founded in the last few years. I'm hoping some of their members will find us and become members here! I'm not sure of their membership qualifications at this time so I wouldn't go trying to join them without being invited. But, that's just me!

This is a link to their site: RAINBOW COPS-BELGIUM

I also added the link to the list of various groups in the Members Only section.

[bluepride]

An interesting video from Great Britain regarding Lesbian and Gay Liasion Officers........

[bluepride]

And another....from Gwent PD in England......

[bluepride]

Lesbian PCSO jailed for passing secrets to other gay friends

A lesbian police community support officer (PCSO) in Wales has been imprisoned for ten months, for passing on confidential information to other gay people in her area, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Lisa Stapley, 39, was known among her friends as “Lisa Filth.” She was recruited by North Wales Police as part of its equality and diversity policy, which the Telegraph describes as “positive discrimination.”

Ms Stapley was sentenced today at the Mold Crown Court by Judge Philip Hughes, after she admitted to four charges of misconduct in public office.

She is known to have tipped off one lesbian friend, wanted for assault, with the text: “Get out of Wrexham, the police are looking for you.” In another case, Ms Stapley sent a string of text messages to a friend within minutes of an assault complaint being made, urging her to get out of town, and providing her with an idea for an alibi.


Read article: Lesbian PCSO jailed for passing secrets to other gay friends

Very unprofessional of her to engage in this gross misconduct.

[edmontongreg]

That is just sickening. Makes me mad when people abuse their positions

[bluepride]

Gay Police Association concern over Scottish force's badged Bibles offer

The Gay Police Association in Scotland and UNISON have expressed concern over an offer to the police forces of Scotland of free Bibles branded with each one’s badge, saying they should not ‘endorse a book containing text which condemns homosexuality’.

Ahead of an amalgamation of the police forces of Scotland, Gideons International has offered commemorative editions of the New Testament and Psalms to the Scottish forces for them to offer to their employees.

The GPA said forces should not endorse the text themselves but direct Gideons to the Christian Police Association or allow them to distribute the Bibles themselves.

Gideons International, which had been distributing free Bibles for over a hundred years, wrote to the eight forces’ Chief Constables offering the texts in dark blue, the colour it prints for police officers and other emergency services.

They wrote: “In light of the current situation with regards to the future amalgamation of the eight independent police forces in Scotland, we want to make the following offer: that as a memento, but more importantly as a valuable guide to life, we wish to make available a dark blue slimline New Testament and Psalms, duly badged, for each force wishing to accept them.

“These can be offered to all members of the individual force, both serving police officers and civilian staff.”

PinkNews.co.uk understands that of the eight forces asked, several including Strathclyde Police, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and the Central Scotland Police Force have so far declined the offer to accept the Bibles themselves.

Grampian Police confirmed it has accepted the badged Bible offer.

The Gay Police Association said last week: “Members of the GPA have contacted us expressing concern that their Force is officially endorsing a religious book containing text which condemns homosexuality.

“The GPA, whilst respecting religious beliefs, cannot ignore the concerns raised by its members.


Read article: Gay Police Association concern over Scottish force's badged Bibles offer

[bluepride]

Police pride in marching

England:

HAMPSHIRE Constabulary is once again joining the Brighton and Hove Pride parade in a show of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Fourteen police officers and members of police staff are set to represent the force in the march tomorrow.

This will be the sixth year the constabulary’s police officers and police community support officers have been given permission to march in uniform.

This year they will be led by Assistant Chief Constable Laura Nicholson, who said: “I’m pleased to say that once again the force will be strongly represented at Brighton and Hove Pride.


“Our involvement in the parade is a visible demonstration of our commitment and support to our own lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender officers and staff as well as the diverse communities we serve.”

Inspector Julie Fry from the constabulary’s LGB&T Resource Group said: “Having been named by Stonewall as the UK’s top police force for LGB people, it’s only right we once again take a lead at the Brighton and Hove Pride.

“The police forces represented in the march always receive applause from the thousands of people who line the route each year to watch the parade, many of whom are from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Read article: Police pride in marching

[bluepride]

Italian cops have their gay families recognized

Italian LGBT associations are celebrating the new move by the Home Office, which changed an internal document on police mobility.

Thanks to the change LGBT police and their partners can ask to be transferred from one city to another for ‘family reasons’.

It had been demanded by Certi Diritti and Oscad, the the anti-discrimination body of the Italian police known as the 'Osservatorio per la Sicurezza Contro gli Atti Discriminatori'.

‘It’s just a small step, but it’s also a great victory for LGBT people in Italy,’ said the Certi Diritti association.

Previously, the internal document was aimed at securing the mobility ‘for a couple made of a man and a woman.’ So same-sex couples were excluded.

Now, Certi Diritti wants more progress.


Read article: Italian cops have their gay families recognized