More great news!
Our Association has a new representative on the Executive Committee of the European LGBT Police Association in the form of Sergeant Frazer Robertson.
The European LGBT Police Association (formally the European Gay Police Association) or EGPA was formed in 2004 and is an umbrella organisation which brings together police LGBT Networks and Associations from across Europe providing a platform to share knowledge, best practice to allow collaborative working in order to tackle discrimination facing LGBT people both within policing and externally.
The EGPA is an independent association comprising a General Board and an elected Executive Committee. In addition to providing co-operation between members, EGPA organise biennial conferences and provides training resources for police forces across Europe.
The Aims of the European LGBT Police Association are:
· Supporting police employees who are LGBT+ or signposting them to organisations that can provide the correct support.
· Building confidence within with LGBT+ community to report crime
· Supporting the development of National LGBT+ staff support associations
· Representing National LGBT+ Police support networks on issues collectively faced
· Supporting police forces and national police establishments in the development of operational policing knowledge and services that will enhance services to the LGBT+ community
· Supporting police forces and national police establishments in being representative and inclusive of the LGBT+ community.
Frazer said: “I am delighted to be in a position to be able to represent BTP but also other forces from across the United Kingdom to ensure that our collective voice and influence remains after we formally leave the European Union. The Association has much to celebrate and I am keen to help enhance the output of organisation to ensure we help reduce the stigma of being LGBTI, develop a positive relationship with the LGBT community and showcase the police service as an employer of choice.
In the UK we have achieved much by way of positive legislative and cultural change and I am able to openly and proudly live my life at home but also at work. Sadly this is not the case in many other European countries which have a long way to go to embrace and value the LGBTI community. I see my role looking forward as one which will help share and signpost much of he work what has assisted us on our journey.”
Further information regarding European LGBT Police Association can be found HERE .