Message from the Corporate Sponsor, Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker APM:

The New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) is committed to protecting and supporting LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals by providing respectful, fair and inclusive policing responses. The NSWPF acknowledges the complex history between police and LGBTQIA+ communities and the barriers this has caused in building trust and confidence in policing.

As an organisation, we have made significant progress. The NSWPF has established a strong foundation for developing positive relationships with our community partners within the LGBTQIA+ community. Our goal is to dismantle past barriers and continue addressing the diverse needs of LGBTQIA+ communities.

A key focus is to maintain active collaboration with the community, ensuring their voices are not only heard but also influence our direction and responses. Central to the NSWPF Strategic Action Plan is our partnership with the LGBTQIA+ community. LGBTQIA+ representatives play a crucial role in guiding NSWPF strategies and policies. Through stakeholder groups, consultative committees, and working parties, the NSWPF effectively addresses the community's needs and expectations.

Another key strategy is to enhance our workforce's ability to provide culturally competent policing to our diverse NSW communities. We are implementing LGBTQIA+ awareness training for every recruit class at the NSWPF Academy, which includes input from community representatives. The NSWPF are focused on continually enhancing our training initiatives across the organisation to better support and serve the LGBTQIA+ community.

The GLLO program will persist in its commitment to fostering community engagement with LGBTQIA+ individuals across NSW, providing crucial support to those interacting with the police. Additionally, GLLOs will maintain their essential role in enhancing workforce awareness and improving responses to LGBTQIA+ individuals.

As the Corporate Sponsor for Sexuality, Gender Diversity, and Intersex, I strongly encourage every officer, both sworn and unsworn, to champion the NSWPF’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. Take the time to thoroughly review the materials available on this page and seek out additional training and development opportunities. Your commitment and active participation are essential to advancing our strategic goals in Sexuality, Gender Diversity, and Intersex.

Education and Training
  • A total of 75 officers completed Gay Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO) training this year with courses held in Sydney, Goulburn and Newcastle – driving our commitment to have more LGBTIQ+ Liaison officers in regional NSW.
  • Recruit presentations: We presented to three (3) classes at the Academy in Goulburn with community stakeholders including 78ers Sydney WorldPride 2023, The Gender Centre and a Doctor from Macquarie University. All students undertake mandatory LGBTIQ+ training.
  • The NSW Government and NSW Police Force launched a new Hate Crimes Awareness campaign to help prevent hate crimes and incidents across the state. The videos cover gender and sexuality-based hate crime, religious based hate crime and race-based hate crime.

Events
  • Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
    In 2022, NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb, led the marching contingent in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This was the first time a Commissioner has marched, leading a contingent of 40 GLLO/ LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers, allies and LGBTIQ+ staff.
  • IDAHOBIT
    Held in May, Senior Constable Raad took part in the Out for Western Sydney IDAHOBIT Panel and networking event, answering questions from the community.
  • Wear it Purple
    Held in August, NSWPF took part in over 40 community events across the state to raise awareness for inclusivity and show support for our rainbow youth.
  • Transgender Awareness Week
    Held in November, began with our inaugural Transgender Flag raising event which was attended by Region Sponsors, Superintendents, GLLO/ LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers and allies.
    The flag was raised every day for that week to remind us of the need to be inclusive and supportive of transgender people in the community and at work.

LGBTIQ+ Stakeholder Forums

In September 2022, NSWPF hosted the first Western Region GLLO/LGBTIQ+ Conference in Broken Hill. The conference held by three Assistant Commissioners, brought together LGBTIQ+ Liaisons, local Aboriginal and LGBTIQ+ leaders from across the western region, to discuss the role of the LGBTIQ Liaison role and improving relationships and services for the communities they proudly serve.

Two community forums were conducted this year.  These meetings continue to provide a valuable method of consultation and feedback for the NSWPF LGBTIQ portfolio.

Policy
  • Strategy on Sexuality, Gender Diversity and Intersex
    Through consultation with members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other sexually or gender diverse (LGBTIQ+) communities across NSW, the NSW Police Force developed a strategy on Sexuality, Gender Diversity and Intersex, continuing its commitment to working in partnership with the community. This document is currently under review.
  • Transgender and Gender Diverse Employees Policy
    In 2019, the NSW Police Force released its first ‘Transgender and Gender Diverse Employees Policy’ to support the growing number of staff and new employees identifying as gender diverse or transgender.

    This policy addresses key health issues and priorities identified by transgender and gender diverse people across the state, including up to two weeks leave, in addition to standard leave entitlements, to support both them and their workplace through their transition.

    Accompanying this policy are comprehensive management guides that are provided to Commands to support employees and teams throughout the process.

    The NSW Police Force is a member of Pride in Diversity – a non-profit employer support organisation assisting a range of corporate and government agencies to become more inclusive and supportive of LGBTIQ+ staff.
  • Beats Policy
    NSWPF has reviewed this policy and updated the historical context to provide more meaningful background which will assist police in managing these locations. The intent of the policy remains ensuring the safety and security of all users of these public locations. The policy is now located under ‘B’ for Beats in the Police Handbook.
  • Person Search Policy
    The policy has been updated to reflect the necessary considerations for Transgender and non-binary persons. This was developed in consultation with Transgender and non-binary employees and community stakeholders.

Welcome Here Project

Guest Speaking and Conference Presentations

From 31 January to Friday 3 February 2023, sixteen (16) GLLO/ LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers travelled to Melbourne, Victoria, to participate in the 3rd World LGBTIQ+ conference for Criminal Justice Professionals.

Held for the first time in Australia, the conference brought police, academics and LGBTIQ+ community members together from around the world to discuss challenges, solutions, and worldwide initiatives that provide the best programs, response, and services to the LGBTIQ+ communities.

One of our very own LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers speaking on the significance of growth in diversity within the NSWPF.