What is LAGLO?
Dorset Police has a
dedicated group of staff who have all applied for the role of a
LGB&T (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) Liaison
Officer.
The force
recognised the need to build bridges between the police and members
of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered population.
These officers
include range of staff from across the whole county comprising
uniform patrol, police staff, CID and management,
some but not all of whom are gay and lesbian themselves.
Historically,
evidence suggests that over the years these groups have felt
mistrust of the police and excluded from the service we aspire to
give to the general public. These developments mirror those at a
national level demonstrating a need to effectively monitor and
address all types of homophobic and transphobic crime and incidents
whether they are verbal or physical. The reporting to police of
homophobic and transphobic incidents is vastly under reported and
the LGBT Liaison
Officers are here to help address this.
A homophobic
incident is defined as:
"Any incident
which is perceived to be Homophobic by the victim or any other
person".
A transphobic
incident is defined as:
“Any incident
which is perceived to be Transphobic by the victim or any other
person".
The Bournemouth
and Poole Division has a larger group of LGBT Liaison
Officers, a reflection of the LGBT community
in Bournemouth that is now recognised as being the fourth largest
in the country.
The Head of
Partnership and Diversity Chairs the multi agency group which meets
quarterly and includes representatives from Dorset Police and
agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Gay Men's Health,
Dorset Lesbian and Gay Helpline and Body Positive, to ensure that a
non-police perspective is heard.
There is an
answerphone available based at Over the Rainbow for anyone to
contact Dorset Police with information and/or to report any
homophobic incidents on 01202 269911. This is especially
valuable for people who for whatever reason don't feel able to walk
into a police station to do this and for anonymous and third party
reporting.
Over the Rainbow
also provides information and services from other agencies as
listed in Other Agencies
We Work With.
How to Contact
Us >