PSNI Host UK And Ireland LGBT+ Policing Conference

The PSNI have hosted for the first time the annual UK and Ireland LGBT+ Policing Conference, at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Friday 29 July.

The event, which centred on the theme of 'Empowering Partnerships', seeks to inspire, generate reflection and promote best practice in policing.

Guest speakers include Gamal Turawa 'G', Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE and Dr Sophie Cook, with a welcome address from the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Christina Black.

Chief Constable of the PSNI, Simon Byrne said: "We are extremely proud to host this year's LGBT+ Conference and to showcase the city of Belfast as a welcoming, safe and inclusive city.

"This is an important opportunity for policing colleagues and partners from across the UK and Ireland to share ideas and perspectives and to generate learning on a range of topics such as diversity in policing, community engagement and community cohesion.

"It also underscores our ongoing commitment to visible, accessible and responsive policing in Northern Ireland.

"The collaborative effort of all those who have worked hard to make this conference possible aptly reflects the Conference theme of 'Empowering Partnerships'. I would like to particularly acknowledge the work of our own LGBT+ Network for their efforts in Pride week and throughout the year."

Mr Byrne was also recently one of the panellists at the Belfast Pride Talks Back event as part of the 2022 Pride Festival.

Co-Chairs of the National LGBT+ Police Network, Constable Amy Tapping and Chief Inspector Lee Broadstock, said they were also both "delighted" to welcome everyone to the 2022 National Conference.

The Co-Chairs of the Police Service of Northern Ireland LGBT+ Network Sergeant Beth Wickham-Thomas and Constable Paul Bloomer said: "We are really proud of the conference we have developed in partnership with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, supported by senior leadership. We have worked hard to produce a conference programme which we hope will empower new partnerships and strengthen existing ones. We've purposefully and carefully chosen speakers who have powerful messages for policing."

Pride is an important series of events for those who identify as LGBT+ and the Police Service of Northern Ireland welcomes opportunities to engage with, and show support for members of the LGBT+ community.