Police has achieved some significant goals this year towards helping our Rainbow communities feel safer and making Aotearoa New Zealand the safest country.
Police’s Diversity Liaison Network, established in 2002, has seen rapid growth from 65 to around 140 members since a conference was held in June 2022 to identify and set priorities.
This demonstrates a significant increase in the support Police provides to Rainbow communities and our people, and which continues to grow.
Diversity Liaison Officers hold a volunteer portfolio in addition to their regular roles and are invaluable to this organisation. They are passionate about what they do.
“I grew up in a small town where everyone had to work together to get by,” says Yvette McKelvie, Wellington District Lead DLO.
“If I have a listening ear and an open mind, I’ll understand best how to help. I can support our Rainbow communities directly but I can also help my colleagues understand how to be respectful and sensitive in their interactions.
“Those ripples will improve feelings of safety and trust from our communities.
"Police should be a safe place that people can go to for help and, if some of our communities don’t feel this way, we need to be working hard to change this. I’m in this, boots, and all.”
DLOs are working hard to provide good connection and support for Rainbow communities. This includes:
- Over Labour Weekend, Police from Wellington District celebrated alongside locals and supporters at the Paekakariki Pride Festival – a great opportunity to walk alongside others in Rainbow communities and show Police really cares about diversity.
- The Rainbow 101 Online Training module for staff was launched in January - 15 percent of our workforce have completed it, with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
- The Next Genderation employee-led network launched in February 2023 as a safe place our gender diverse people, allies and family members can go for information and support.
- In July, a Lead DLO hui in Wellington saw the establishment of structure, tools and resources to further equip and enable our people and enhance the effectiveness of the network. These tools include the ability to connect community members directly with our DLOs, with their consent, and to give Police visibility of their efforts and the difference they make to Rainbow communities and their districts.
- The Tāmaki Makaurau Rainbow Hui on 28 September included representatives from local Police leadership, 17 government agencies and NGOs.
- DLOs played a significant role in Operation Trevor, helping vulnerable people feel safe to come forward and talk about their experiences.
DLOs will continue to work with internal and external partners, especially supporting areas that focus on hate crime, crowded places, youth and education, including Takatāpui (Māori) MVPFAFF+ (Pasifika) and ethnic LGBTQIA+ communities.
“We are still a work in progress,” says Lead Community Inclusion Sharon Johnston, who is responsible for supporting the network. “This is a very good beginning that demonstrates how Police is committed to improving its service to Rainbow communities.
“What we need now is for Rainbow communities to check us out, engage in conversations with us and keep us honest as we work to create a better future.”
If you would like, or need, help or specific support from a DLO, please email DLOS@police.govt.nz.