LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison Academy
LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison programs are highly effective ways for law enforcement agencies to build trust and increase community engagement with the LGBTQ+ community. The Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index recognizes the importance of the LGBT Liaison.
“An LGBTQ+ police liaison (10 points) can serve as an important bridge between the community and law enforcement. The liaison is an advocate for fair and respectful enforcement of the law as well as an officer that the community can rely upon to appropriately respond to sensitive issues. In instances of violence against LGBTQ+ people, LGBTQ+ police liaisons can help ensure that bias-motivated crimes are properly investigated and reported, victims are not misgendered, and the community is kept abreast of the investigation’s progress.” – HRC Municipal Equality Index
Every law enforcement agency needs an LGBT Liaison as part of the commitment to community policing and procedural justice.
In June 2024, the National Law Enforcement Museum produced a panel discussion about the value of having LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison Programs. Here from working Liaison around the country from agencies large and small and get inspired to create a program of your own.
About The LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison Academy
Our LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison Academy is designed to help participants design and build a successful program from the ground up. The course content was developed based on a nationwide job task analysis we completed in 2021. Although many law enforcement agencies have an LGBT Liaison, few have anything documented or formalized. This course will not only provide individuals assigned to this role with the knowledge they need, but will also help institutionalize and memorialize the program so that it is sustainable. A certified training program like this one provides credibility for both the individual acting as the Liaison and the program itself.
The following is a list of learning outcomes for the LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison Academy:
- Students will identify the key tasks and responsibilities of an LGBT Liaison.
- Students will develop communication pathways between the LGBT Liaison and community.
- Students will identify key people and community organizations to create relationships and partnership with as an LGBT Liaison.
- Students will create a community event designed to build trust between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community.
- Students will demonstrate how to develop and deliver LGBT awareness training for members of law enforcement.
- Students will demonstrate how to identify a hate crime and the basic investigative steps required to prepare a case for prosecution.
We call this an “academy” because the course includes three different classes in one. When you enroll in this program, you will complete three classes including:
- LGBT Community Liaison (the master class) – 8 hours
- LGBT Awareness Training For Trainers – 8 hours
- Hate Crimes Investigations – 8 hours
If you have already completed the LGBT Awareness Training For Trainers or Hate Crimes Investigations class, you can submit a copy of your course completion certificate to satisfy the requirements for this course and move ahead.
To graduate from the Liaison Academy, you must successfully complete all three parts of the program by the completion date of the course. All three classes are certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. California law enforcement personnel can earn 24 hours of CPT credit for completing all three classes (8 hours each).
The entire academy is available online using the Canvas learning management system. No special software is required and the course can be accessed from any Windows or Apple device.
This program does more than simply show you how to create a program. The assignments will have you actually building the essential components of a successful program. Course work requires completion of several projects including planning a community event, participation in online discussions, and passing two tests. Participants can expect to spend 24 hours or more completing the academy. Graduates will receive a certificate and an exclusive LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison challenge coin. After completing the course, your Liaison Program will be ready for accreditation.
What Graduates Have Said
“We are a small rural department in Idaho. This course is everything we needed to begin building our LGBTQ liaison position and protocols. We can’t thank you enough for creating such an incredible resource and learning tool. Keep up the great work!”
“There are so many things I valued about this course. This really defined what my role is or should be. The Hate Crimes Investigation class was super interesting and informative.”
The cost of this course is $195. For members of law enforcement registering for this course for the first time, the Matthew Shepard Foundation is providing a full scholarship. The scholarship is automatically applied at the time of registration using the correct link below.
Download A Program Brochure
IF YOU ARE REGISTERING FOR THE FIRST TIME – CLICK HERE To Begin
IF YOU ARE RETURNING AND REGISTERING AGAIN – CLICK HERE To Begin
Bring Our Liaison Academy To Your Agency
We can bring our LGBT Liaison Academy to your agency in a 2 or 3 day format. Our classes are interactive and include a number of learning activities designed to achieve the learning outcomes described at the top of this page.
Each participant receives a manual that includes a textbook, the LGBT Awareness Training For Trainers Instructor Guide, LGBT Awareness Student Workbook, LGBT Liaison Accreditation Guide and supplemental information. Participants completing the program receive a completion certificate and our LGBT Liaison challenge coin.
We can customize the third day with hate crimes awareness training, active shooter response preparation, and or a walking tour of the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco.
Click here to request information about scheduling a face-to-face class.
