Police, Gay And Lesbian Liaison Officers

A question put forward to the Hon. P. HOLLOWAY regarding Police, Gay And Lesbian Liaison Officers.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK:

1. What is the status of the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers Network?

2. Has a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers Network been established?

3. If so, how many times has it met and what outcomes have been achieved?

4. Is funding available for a coordinator?

5. Has a coordinator been appointed?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: South Australia Police (SAPOL) has approved the establishment of a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO) network with a primary objective being to improve safety by working in partnership with the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (GLBTIQ) community. The GLLO Network has not formally commenced operation, however the structural and policy arrangements supporting the network are being progressed. The structure of the approved network is a police officer in the Community Programs Section at each Local Service Area (LSA); an officer within the Major Crime Investigation Branch and an officer within the Sexual Crime Investigation Branch. Each police officer will combine the GLLO role with their operational duties. On that basis, the Position Information Document for the Community Program Section Managers in country and metropolitan areas, as well as for the officers within Community Program Section, has been amended to include the duties and responsibilities as a GLLO. Each LSA commander will also be able to call for police volunteers within that LSA or operational area to undertake GLLO duties in addition to their substantive roles. Any volunteers will supplement the work of the nominated officer. Nominations for an officer to undertake the GLLO role in each area are being finalised.

As the GLLO Network is in the process of being established, there have not yet been any meetings of GLLOs. SAPOL's Equity and Diversity Branch has liaised with representatives from the Gay and Lesbian community and service providers to inform them of the GLLO network and to seek views on the intended role of GLLOs.

The consultation included explaining the proposed two day training which GLLOs and their managers will receive. Comments and ideas from the community representatives will be factored into the training program.

The establishment of the GLLO co-ordinator position does not require new funding. The GLLO coordinator's role and responsibilities will be subsumed within an existing Project Officer (sworn police officer) position within SAPOL's Equity and Diversity Branch.

An appointment to the Project Officer position has not yet been made although the position has been advertised within SAPOL. It is anticipated that the position will again be advertised in the near future.