Gay and Lesbian Police Officers

 

Law enforcement and policing has traditional been a middle-class “masculine” occupation. Racist and sexist attitudes remain a problem in many departments. Similarly, homophobic attitudes in society and within the law enforcement community create many problems for the gay or lesbian officer.  

Unlike other minority groups, integration of gay and lesbian people presents unique challenges to law enforcement organizations. As a profession, law enforcement is particularly susceptible to discrimination against gay and lesbian officers. Unlike one's race or sex, lesbian and gay officers can choose to try to conceal their sexual orientation. Some police officers may experience the stress of concealing their sexual orientation. Having the stress to remain “in the closet” can bring the officer to the point of lacking performance, undependability, and even suicide (Colvin, 2009).

In 1998, I remember a 26 year old gay Philadelphia Police Officer (Thomas Kalt) committed suicide using his department issued 9mm handgun three weeks after graduating from the police academy. Although there was no indication that Kalt’s death had anything to with his sexual orientation, it was reported that he was suffering from emotional distress. At the time, Kalt was reported as being the department’s first openly gay officer. Prior to his death, Kalt told his commanding officer that he was going to quit the police force because he couldn’t handle the attention he was receiving as a gay officer.

According to Colvin (2009), the general consensus among gay and lesbian police officers is that they are under “tremendous pressure to conform to gender stereotypes” and that each gay and lesbian officer must determine the cost and benefits of “coming out at work.”  In doing so, each individual must consider their personal safety, social isolation, or institutional considerations such as evaluations, promotions, and assignments. Research estimates that up to 46% of gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals experience employment discrimination (Colvin, 2009).

Most people who enter into public service do so out of a desire for a good career, job security, and/or to perform their civic duty. Gay and Lesbian people are no different than any other person who chooses to enter into public service and should be treated as equals. “As more police departments explore the benefits of community policing models, the inclusion of gay and lesbian police officers may represent more than a human rights effort; these nontraditional police officers may bring a range of roles and skills that can enhance the flexibility of police work without sacrificing its crime-fighting mission” (Miller, Forrest, & Jurik, 2003).

I believe that a failure to diversify and integrate minority police officers including gay and lesbians into the community reduces a department’s ability to serve the community to its fullest potential. I would be interested in reading your thoughts on this topic.

 

References:

Colvin (2009). Shared Perceptions among Lesbian and Gay Police Officers. Barriers and Opportunities in the Law enforcement Work Environment, Police Quarterly, 12 (1), 86-101.

Miller, Forest, Jurik (2003). Diversity in Blue: Lesbian and Gay Police Officers in a Masculine Occupation. Men and Masculinities, 5 (4), 355-385.

http://articles.philly.com/1999-01-08/news/25491739_1_suicide-notes-gay-community-gay-officers-action-league