Fighting fear and prejudice
ORANA Mid-western Police District commander Superintendent Dan Sullivan isn’t just committed to solving crime. He’s dedicated to fighting against prejudice as well.
Since arriving in the region, Supt Sullivan has been engaging with the LGBTQI+ community and spoke with Dubbo Photo News about the progress being made – and just how far we as a community still have to go.
“One thing I’m really proud of here, is that we have a strong contingent of Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers or GLLOS, known as ‘glows’,” he said.
“They’re a very vibrant group here and their skillset enables them to have a conversation with the LGBTQI+ community, and to let them know that the police station is a safe place.”
The region’s police have recently joined the Welcome Here project, with stickers and posters displayed in police stations promoting their commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQI+ people.
“Looking back, there is history between the NSW Police force and the LGBTQI+ community, in that it used to be an offence to be homosexual,” Supt Sullivan said.
“These are difficult parts of our past that we need to overcome, and it’s important for the LGBTQI+ community to know that the police station is now a safe place.
“NSW has strong anti-discrimination laws, and we want to make sure members of this community know they can come to us and report these crimes.”
He added people should not be experiencing crime “because of a feature of themselves they cannot change”.
“It is a crime to target someone because of something about themselves they cannot change – their sexual orientation, gender identity, race,” Supt Sullivan said.
“Doing so means it’s a different level of crime. You can’t change who you are.”
Supt Sullivan added it had been “disappointing” to see the level of prejudice expressed in the region, particularly on social media.
“I know social media doesn’t always represent the best of us, but it’s disappointing to see the backlash online when police speak about these issues,” he said.
“Quite plainly, it’s prejudice; it’s misunderstanding, and I would
use the word fear to describe a lot of that type of commentary.
“I think Yoda described it best in Star Wars – fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.
“It’s fear of the “other” that leads to more sinister actions.”
He also hit back at people who suggested the NSW Police Force had signed up to a “woke agenda”.
“Young people in the central west community are over-represented in suicide figures, and young people who are LGBTQI+ are over-represented in suicide figures,” Supt Sullivan said.
“That’s why we care, that’s why we do the things we’re doing.
“Judging by the comments I see on social media, we have a long way to go. It can be difficult for young people to come out, it’s a challenge.
“But we’re doing this and speaking about this because young LGBTQI+ people are over-represented in those suicide figures.”
According to Supt Sullivan, “a
problem without a solution is just a whinge”, so he has helped implement a new program in the region called Strong, Proud and Deadly.
“Strong, Proud and Deadly is aimed at helping young Indigenous people come out,” he said.
“We have two Aboriginal officers here, who are also GLLOS, and they’re here to help talk young people through that coming out process, or with whatever else they might need.
“There’s a lot of issues there (in the Indigenous community) about acceptance, myths, and cultural identity, and I’m so proud of my team for starting this program and starting this conversation.”
Police in the central west also take part in several events throughout the year, including International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia; Wear it Purple Day; and the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
“We want people to know that the police station is a safe place for everyone in our community,” Supt Sullivan said.
“Anyone can come in and ask to see a GLLO officer, or you can go online to the NSW Police website, there’s lots of information there about how we can help you.
“I just want to see acceptance – it’s ok to be different, it’s ok to be you.
“Change and progress is absolutely possible, and I’d like to see that in our community.”