On Saturday 20 February off-duty Police staff will participate in the Auckland Pride Parade, which is part of the wider Auckland Pride Festival celebrating the Rainbow Community in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Over the past year a committee of Auckland Diversity Liaison Officers (DLOs) have been working together to ensure the organisation is well represented in the parade and have extended a warm invitation to all Police staff to participate in the parade to show support of their colleagues and that the New Zealand Police is a diverse and accepting place to work.
Off-duty staff participating in the parade will be wearing uniform and there will also be on-duty staff in uniform who will be working the parade.
DLOs are located throughout New Zealand to provide liaison between Police and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) communities.
DLOs often work in partnership with GLBTI communities to assist and provide advice with crime prevention projects, support and attend community events and deliver training to raise awareness of GLBTI community issues. DLOs also play a supportive role for other Police employees, providing advice and support to colleagues regarding GLBTI issues.
The role of the DLO has developed and grown over the years and DLO staff have built some great relationships with the communities that they serve. Their work has enabled Police staff from other areas to also work more effectively across the full range of diverse communities. The DLOs provide a safe point of contact for people.
Commissioner Mike Bush says to ensure NZ Police remains responsive to the needs of all New Zealanders and is truly reflective of the society and communities we operate in, Police want to recruit New Zealanders who are motivated to help their communities.
“Therefore Police encourage and welcome all people, who want to make a difference in communities, to apply to join us” he says.
To take the first step to becoming a cop, visit newcops.co.nz.
For a list of DLO contacts go to: www.police.govt.nz/dlos
END
Media Release issued by Jillian Reid Public Affairs PNHQ 021 947 003
Parade details:
Saturday 20th February, 6pm (no rain date), free event.
The Auckland Pride Parade route travels in a northerly direction up Ponsonby Road from Western Park to Three Lamps.
Ponsonby Road will be closed to traffic from 4pm to 10pm.
Parking restrictions apply on Ponsonby Road and adjoining roads.