Richardson said he would like to see more active recruitment of minorities for local law enforcement agencies. He said he thinks there are only three minority officers in the HPD, the county Sheriff's Office and the locally based state police combined.
"Is there a real commitment to go out and actively recruit minorities?" Richardson asked.Today, sixteen years later, the Register-Star reports on a new program that "aims to develop a pool of minority candidates that are able and willing to take advantage of openings for police officers": "Program looks to up police minority hiring."
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While I applaud this program, there is another group which is not represented in law enforcement in our area, LGBT officers. In a city and county with a substantial LGBT community, having LGBT officers would be a huge help.
ReplyDeleteWhen Aldermen Garriga and Keith requested a Diversity sub-committee, they specifically called for greater diversity which included LGBT people as well. I inquired whether LGBT people could apply for this program and was told that everyone could apply "except white gay men". I assume the reasoning being that any other applicants would be covered as people of color or women.
Many LGBT people in our area have had bad experiences with local police. Adding to the diversity of our local forces in all aspects of underrepresented groups would be a big plus. Including the full range of individuals covered by the acronym LGBT (even white gay males). This is a missed opportunity for full inclusion.
It's difficult for Hudson to be Dog Friendly, now you want Gay Friendly too?
DeleteGood day everyone, I was directed to take a look at Mr. Mendolia’s remarks regarding the LEDI (law enforcement diversity initiative). As a group we spent many hours going over small details, not to mention questions we would be asked. I thought we had touched on everything, but it appears the question of the LGBT community evaded us.
ReplyDeleteI received a text from Mr. Mendolia asking if the LGBT community would be included in the program. I responded, given first thought, I would venture to say, “white males” may not qualify, but let me check with the group. After consulting with the group it was pointed out, there is not distinction made on law enforcement application as to someone’s sexual preference, thus, “white males”, still fall under the majority category, meaning they don’t qualify. There are programs out there for those who would like to seek a career in law enforcement, quest star and the Sheriff’s dept. explorer program to name a couple. This program is specifically designed to find, cultivate and retain minorities for a career in law enforcement, wherever that may take them.
The word minority seems to be at issue here, so let me try to address that. We are defining minorities as, women and people of color, there is no distinction made for someone’s sexual preference, gay women and gay people of color are very welcome. We also stand that if you have undergone surgery to have your sex changed to a woman and have a written doctor’s statement stating the fact, you too are welcome. In the hopes to clear up any misunderstanding, when an individual goes to fill out an application to apply for a job as a law enforcement officer, he or she is not asked their sexual preference and hence it will not be done in this program either. There is no effort to slight the LGBT community, the goals is to increase “minority” representation within our law enforcement agencies.
Mr. Mendolia’s comments seem to suggest otherwise, so I would like to make it as clear as I possibly can, “white males” do not qualify.
William Hughes Jr.
4th Ward Supervisor, City of Hudson
Minority Leader, Columbia Count Board of Supervisors