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Met named
as friendliest employer for gay workers
29 Jan 2007- A gay police liaison officer from
Lambeth has praised the Met for recognising the benefits of having a
diverse workforce, after it was named as the friendliest employer for
gay, bisexual and transsexual people.
Graham Alldus, who joined the force six years ago,
described the announcement as a great development for the force.
"It's a fantastic recognition of how quickly the Met
responds to changes in society and legislation," he said.
Mr Alldus, 37, who is Lambeth's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transsexual (LGBT) liaison officer decided to enrol after reading
about an HIV-positive officer working in Lambeth in Positive Nation
magazine.
"I thought it showed how much attitudes within the
police had progressed," he said. "My father was a police officer for 30
years until 1977 and for two-thirds of that time it was illegal just to
be gay.
"My gay friends were surprised I wanted to join. I
wanted to change the force from the inside and make a difference - I
thought I had skills to bring."He admits there is a perception of a
macho culture within the Met, which women and LGBT people fight. "I
didn't want to be pigeon-holed as a gay officer," he said.
"I saw there was a need for a LGBT liaison officer
because while the police were fine at reacting to crime, they needed to
proactively engage with LGBT people."
He estimates that the level of LGBT hate crime has
fallen by 25 per cent in the last year, due to better communication with
the community and improved facilities to report crime.
Mr Alldus said he has never faced discrimination
because of his sexuality at work. "One of the police's strength is that
it recognises the benefits of diversity, employing people of all ages,
faiths and backgrounds," he said.
"Sexual orientation is very personal. Unlike gender
and race, it is a hidden aspect of the self but a very important one. If
you choose to reveal your sexuality, colleagues within the police are
very supportive. There is equality across all transdiversity.
"I love being part of the police, especially being on
the street and mixing with the public. Even if it's just helping someone
by telling them what the time is, it's wonderful to be able to make a
difference."
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