WA Police have appointed a new diversity officer to the force to work with the LGBTI community and the police service.
Community diversity officer Melané White was recently appointed to the role to fill the vacated position in the Indigenous and Community Diversity unit.
White will be working in a range of areas including liaising with the community and ensuring LGBTI people feel comfortable reporting to the police.
White has previously worked at the Equal Opportunity Commission and said people should feel safe reporting to the police.
‘I see it as an excellent opportunity to develop relationships between the LGBTI community and the police,’ White said.
‘We would like people to feel comfortable to come to the police.
‘For me, it’s about upholding the rights of the LGBTI community.’
Indigenous & Community Diversity Unit Executive Manager Robert Skesteris said people should know the police and the diversity unit were an avenue for anyone who felt they were subjected to hate-crimes.
The Indigenous and Community Diversity Unit can be contacted on 08 9222 1510.
Benn Dorrington
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