The NSW Police Force has been recognised as part of Australia’s ‘top 20’ employers for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) inclusion, NSW Police say.
The definitive ranking was announced during a special event in Sydney on Friday evening (20 May 2016), which was hosted by the Aid Council of NSWs (ACON) Pride in Diversity Program – a national not-for-profit employment scheme for the inclusion of LGBTI people in the workplace.
Friday’s announcement means the NSW Police Force now ranks 11th according to the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).
In addition to the AWEI announcement, the Force had two other wins on the night – the Executive Leadership Award for LGBTI Workplace Inclusion was awarded to Corporate Sponsor for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, Detective Superintendent Tony Crandell – as well as the Transgender Inclusion Award.
Det Supt Crandell said the NSW Police Force is proud of its achievements, which are thanks in no small way to a dedicated group of sworn and unsworn officers who work to improve the Force’s workplace inclusion and community awareness programs.
"The Sexuality and Gender Diversity team – spearheaded by Senior Programs Officer Jackie Braw – have worked tirelessly to gain this recognition and it represents a fantastic step forward for the whole organisation," Det Supt Crandell said.
"The AWEI ranking – the application for which was led by Detective Inspector Amanda Hancock – is quite an achievement for a first-year entrant.
"It also sends a clear message to existing members and those wishing to join the Force that we are an organisation that prioritises inclusion and celebrates diversity," Det Supt Crandell said.
"While great progress has been made, there’s still a long road ahead to achieve real and lasting equality, which is why we’ll continue to promote and advance our programs and annual events.
"We manage a number of community engagement activities including a series of Mardi Gras events; International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia; Wear it Purple Day to support the prevention of youth suicide especially in LGBTI youth; and Transgender Remembrance Day," Det Supt Crandell said.
"In addition, we have six LGBTI regional sponsors and around 200 Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs) across more than 75 Local Area Commands within NSW.
"The GLLO program promotes fairness and inclusion, where officers build and maintain relationships with LGBTI organisations," Det Supt Crandell said.
"I hold regular talks with every new recruit coming out of the NSW Police Force Academy each quarter to ensure they’re aware and sensitive to the issues affecting the LGBTI community.
"Representatives of and from the LGBTI community also join me during these sessions to address and educate the students," Det Supt Crandell said.
"The transgender community is often a large part of our recruit education program at the Academy, which is always a very powerful way to encourage and facilitate two-way communication and inclusiveness.
"As police officers we’re here to serve the community, so if we have mutual respect and understanding, there’s no limit to what we can achieve together."
