Community engagement is about involving local people and organisations developing on-going conversations and making sure that their views into how ,when and where services are provided.

I fall into the bracket of informing and consulting, by involving the community to make sure their concerns and issues are understood , listened to and seriously taken into consideration. My role as consulting includes asking the Gay Community for their views in informal drop in’s as I daily patrol, i.e. that could be dropping into a pub / club / business ect,.and chat over a coffee , and then listen to the problems that they / area is suffering from. I would also let the community know about any up coming plans /events for the area ect,.This in turn would boost confidence in the Police from a community (Gay) that has in the past suffered apathy in their trust of the Policing service and quality of service doled out.

I build bridges with the Gay community from talking and taking on board their concerns, also just being there ,friendly and approachable to all people’s from business’s to bar staff, drag acts (who have issues along the lines of Hate). To Transgendered people with their differing issues and concerns of acceptance and attitudes of others. I help build a safe-haven and in turn boost their self confidence levels, and where once they would suffer in silence ,now they’ll engage and talk to the Police service more freely with ease and gained trust.

Working closely with the LGBT is making head roads into a once closed off community , giving them a loud and proud voice . In collaborating with the LGBT and other organisations and forming a sort of Partnership enables all to have a say and to become as involved as they feel happy to be.

Ive worked around and on the Gay Pride events for the last 13 years and this also builds trust / bonds ,where people now your face and name thus are comfortable talking with you on personal / area issues ect. All this work of underpinning knowledge is built up daily by working the area . (micro beats if you will).

Police and the Community working together to solve issues and in turn helping the Gay community to strive to take action with local services i.e. police / councils ,  but will in turn help them to stand on their own to get things done / changed. I feel ive been apart of an initiative that has and still is breaking down barriers between a once sceptical audience, we still have someway to go but things are slowly improving in forming a trusting and lasting bond, but in collaborating together more , acceptance will come.