POLICE AND LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AGREE ON ACTION PLAN

POLICE AND LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AGREE ON ACTION PLAN

By Staff Writer

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) is to appoint a Police Liaison Officer to the LGBTQ+ community “to act as the consistent point of contact.”

That’s one of the outcomes of a meeting arranged to address several concerns raised by the group with the police.

There are also concerns over recent social media postings some of which were described by the representatives from LGBTQ+ as disturbing and offensive.

Police Commissioner Derek Byrne assured that the matter will be investigated to establish if any breaches of the penal code had been committed.

Also coming out of the meeting held on Friday September 18th was a commitment by the RCIPS to undergo sensitization and diversity training.

Commenting on the discussion Commissioner Byrne remarked: “The main concern expressed by the group was that the LGBTQ+ community felt marginalized by some members of the public.”

He said, “They also conveyed concerns that RCIPS did not understand the issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community and that complaints were not always taken seriously. The LGBTQ+ community simply wish to work closer with the RCIPS to ensure that their concerns are heard and that they are better supported.”

In thanking the RCIPS for facilitating what he called “such an important and productive meeting with the LGBTQ+ community of the Cayman Islands” Dr. Leonardo Raznovich of Colours Cayman said they “wholeheartedly welcome the invitation by the RCIPS to receive sensitization training from our organisation.”

The group said they “applaud the efforts of Police Commissioner to ensure the continued education and training of his officers to ensure the protection and safety of our vulnerable LGBTQ+ community in the Cayman Islands."