Tas Police liaison initiative welcomed
The following media releases about LGBTI police liaison were issued by the TGLRG and the Tasmania Police on 16.12.08.
The launch today of a new range of brochures and posters promoting the Tasmania Police gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community liaison officers has been welcomed by gay activists.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that police liaison officers provide a much-needed point of access and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people who have suffered hate-motivated attacks.
"We applaud the Tasmania Police for continuing to take hate-crimes seriously and for ensuring their services are open and accessible to everyone."
"As well as making it easier to access police services, the materials launched today send out an important message that discrimination and prejudice has no place in Tasmanian society."
Speaking at today's launch, Mr Croome praised the Tasmania Police for being the first Tasmanian Government agency to officially recognise the GLBTI community in the early 1990s.
"In the wake of the arrests at Salamanca Market 20 years ago, the Tasmania Police decided to take a different approach, becoming the first Tasmanian Government agency to establish a liaison committee and appoint liaison officers for the GLBTI community", Mr Croome said.
"20 years on, Tasmania has changed for the better, but GLBTI people still experience hatred and violence, particularly in rural and regional areas, and Tasmania police is meeting that challenge with an expanded and more visible community liaison program."
Background
* Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise homosexual relationships but one of the first states to have GLBTI police liaison officers and liaison committees.
* Tasmania now has 13 GLBTI liaison officers across the state
* All liaison officers are trained in a special training course that is currently the only one of its kind in Australia
* All Tasmania Police recruits receive training in the issues facing GLBTI people and have done since 1992.
TasPol media alert to follow.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
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TASMANIA POLICE
LAUNCH OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX LIAISON OFFICER BROCHURES AND POSTERS
Acting Assistant Commissioner Steve Bonde will today launch the Tasmania Police Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Intersex Liaison Officers information brochures and posters.
The posters and brochures provide safety information to members of the LGBTI community and advice in relation to contacting police and accessing the LGBTI liaison officer network.
“The timing of this launch is appropriate given the activities of Human Rights week last week and the marking of the 20th anniversary of action taken by the Hobart City Council to prohibit the gay law reform stall at Salamanca Market in 1988,” Mr Bonde said.
“Following on from the arrests at Salamanca, the Police/Lesbian and Gay Community Liaison Committee was formed, which was later reconvened as the Tasmania Police LGBTI Reference Group.
“13 additional Police LGBTI Liaison Officers have been trained and are based throughout the State ensuring accessibility to all members of the Tasmanian community.”
The materials will be distributed to all police stations and available for distribution to other agencies, groups, and service providers.
Media are invited to attend.
WHAT: Launch of LGBTI brochures and posters
WHERE: Media Conference Room, ground floor, Police Headquarters, 47 Liverpool Street, Hobart
WHEN: 10:30am TODAY, Tuesday December 16
Contact: Insp Fiona Lieutier
6230 2644