POLICE — GAY AND LESBIAN
LIAISON OFFICER PROGRAM
337. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the gay and lesbian
liaison officer programs run by the New South Wales, South Australian,
Queensland and Victorian police and the Australian Federal Police services.
(1) Will the WA Police Force implement a gay and
lesbian liaison officer program informed by the other states?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) how will the
program be rolled out; and
(b) when will the
program begin?
(3) If no to (1),why
not?
(4) What crime
prevention measures are in place to build rapport with the LGBTIQ community to
encourage reporting of incidents?
(5) Have these
measures had an impact on the number of LGBTIQ people reporting incidents?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1) The community engagement division within judicial
services regularly engages with the Western Australian LGBTIQ community
to build confidence in policing services. This includes publication of targeted
communication material, online surveys to
determine community concerns and feedback, and participation in the
annual Pride Parade, Fairday and other events. A liaison officer program of the
nature referred to has not been considered.
(2) Not
applicable.
(3) It is not a matter
that has been considered at this point.
(4) Incidents are
reported through standard crime reporting pathways. Police officers are trained
and encouraged to build relationships with all members of the community to
establish trust and a safe pathway to have incidents resolved. The community
engagement division works to build stronger awareness both in the community and
with police officers through relationship and capacity building.
(5) The impact of any police engagement is difficult
to measure and currently the WA Police Force does not measure activity specific
to the LGBTIQ community.