There are a lot of conversations that happen within your Community here in Calgary – conversations of pride, rights, equality and togetherness. These are all great things for you, as LGBT people, to discuss but I’d like to present one more topic for your consideration – community safety.
The Calgary Police Service has been working hard with the LGBT Community of Calgary for the past 20 years to create awareness around issues affecting our safety. Through the Sexuality & Gender Diversity Chief’s Advisory Board, regular two-way communication occurs to create a safe and inclusive community through education and awareness. This education is a two-way street; to increase community awareness about police policies and initiatives, as well as how to be safe as you live your life in our city, but also to educate officers about community issues.
I am Constable Andy Buck and I am the liaison to the LGBT Community for the Calgary Police Service. I have been with the CPS for the past four years, having previously served as a police officer in Manchester, UK since 1994.
In my role, I co-chair the Chief’s Advisory Board with Calvin Campbell of Pride at Work Canada, a committee made up of community members, representatives from community agencies and allies.
As an ally, I knew of many of the issues affecting the LGBT Community prior to taking on my current role, but it has been a very eye opening experience for me. Many of the battles have been won in the fight for LGBT rights. Now our work lies in building upon foundation and working to create a truly inclusive world through communication, collaboration, education and awareness.
The Chief’s Advisory Board and myself are working very hard to create initiatives that will keep you informed and safe in our great city as well as expanding the level of inclusion within the CPS. A lot of the work we do is achieved by partnering with different community agencies and organizations such as the Gay Straight Alliance Roundtables, AIDS Calgary, Safety Under the Rainbow, Apollo Friends in Sports and the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association. You will often see us at a variety of the community events throughout the year, either walking around interacting with members of the community or at the CPS Diversity Booth.
We are here for you. We know your community is strongest and healthiest when everyone is informed about the issues that affect them as well as their family and friends. Thanks to GayCalgary Magazine, we now have an opportunity to talk to you directly, each month in these pages. We’ll be discussing issues that directly impact you, and keep you up to date on what we’re working on.
I look forward to seeing you all at the many fantastic community events that will take place this year. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.