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Diversity role brings frontline benefits
Wanganui-based Detective Constable Brenda Kelly says her Diversity Liaison Officer experience comes in very handy as part of her operational duties. Brenda is a family violence investigator in Wanganui and recently picked up the diversity liaison officer portfolio. “On the domestic front, we started to see a lot of same sex violence going on in the home,” says Brenda. “For a lot of police, they weren’t quite sure of the best way to handle it. So when the portfolio came up I grabbed it because it was a good add-on.” Brenda says she has learned a great deal since picking up the DLO role. “Same sex couples get into domestic situations just like heterosexual couples – so it’s about having an understanding and knowing how to approach these people and what’s available to help them with other agencies.” Brenda believes the GLBTI community sees Police as more approachable and, as with other family violence situations, are now more likely to report an incident. Of the DLO training, Brenda says the course broadened her views “hugely”. “There was huge diversity of life experiences, skills and stories within the group. “There were also very brave people who have certainly lived incredible lives brought in to speak to us. For them to feel confident enough to sit in front of a room full of police and share their life stories was just mind-boggling. “We live in such a diverse community these days, we need to open our minds and get on with policing,” she says. |
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