News

3 December 2007
POLICE TO EXPLORE WIDE RANGE OF LGBT ISSUES AT SEMINAR

SCOTLAND’S police officers will explore a wide range of diversity issues that pertain to Lesbian – Gay – Bisexual – Transgender (LGBT) persons throughout Scotland at the Scottish Police College tomorrow.

Aimed at key officers in all eight police forces, the one-day seminar will address such issues as: policing guidelines for transgendered persons in custody; same-sex domestic abuse; homophobia at football matches, policing public sex environments; and, personal details on police force computers among others.

Key speakers will be:

• Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport; and,
• Paddy Tomkins, Chief Inspector of Constabulary, HMIC, and former Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders.

Hosting its second annual, Scotland-wide seminar is the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) LGBT Reference Group, which comprises representatives from all Scottish forces, the British Transport Police, the Scottish Police College and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary as well as a wide range of LGBT organisations such as Stonewall Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and the Transgender Alliance.

Presentations to be made by a number of police officers, group representatives and researchers will include: a leadership overview of LGBT Issues with in an equality and diversity framework; how the HMIC can progress diversity; transgender issues  (such as policing guidelines for transgendered persons in custody); and recent changes in legislation.

All Scottish police forces have Diversity Units comprising of a number of officers whose responsibilities are to implement the Scottish Police Service vision on diversity, which requires:

• Ensuring that all functions, policies and procedures are inclusive and non-discriminatory.
• Providing equal opportunities in employment and development so that the police workforce reflects the diverse communities in which it serve; and

That every person in the service, working in partnership with individuals, groups and agencies, to ensure that the Service remains responsive to the changing needs of Scottish society.