ATL's Cops are going through LGBT Training

The police department in the ATL are making history with these LGBT training sessions, thanks to the leadership of Chief George Turner.

Turner and the entire command staff of approximately 30 people underwent the one-hour classroom training in December, taught by LGBT liaison Officer Brian Sharp. Now Sharp and Senior Patrol Officer Patricia Powell, the other LGBT liaison for the department, are teaching the class to everyone else employed by the department; the trainings will continue through May.


Recruits will also receive the training and the class will be taught once a year to all employees as a way for the department to garner better understanding and build a relationship with Atlanta’s LGBT residents.

“I think the training is a great first step,” said Glen Paul Freedman, chair of the APD’s LGBT advisory group. “Before, this was not mandatory other than a class taught only to recruits about the LGBT liaison’s role.”

Officer Sharp, in past meetings with the LGBT advisory group, said the trainings are going well with APD employees.

These trainings talk about the history of the gay rights movement, proper terms/word use and why the community may not trust the police. I think this is a great step in right direction.

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ATL Police Dept. develops a LGBT

This could be a great development in the ATL.

After the unnecessary death of gay nightclub owner and Black Gay Pride organizer, Durand Robinson, Atlanta PD has created a LGBT Advisory Group:

Atlanta Police have named the members of a nine-person board created to address concerns of the city's large gay and lesbian population.

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Advisory Board is described as a "critical link" between the police department and the community. Its members include an assortment of business owners, advocates and city professionals active in the gay and lesbian community.

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner says the board will help the department better serve the community.

I think this is good. I hope our community holds ATL's PD accountable and true to their commitments.

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Interesting Quote: Richard Ramey

"There were 62 victims, not including the staff. And not one person had a weapon or drugs on them. When they couldn't find anything, an officer said, 'I guess we have to go through IDs' and he brought in a laptop. All of this was against their civil rights. There was no probable cause. Why did they have to have up to 30 police officers to control 62 homosexuals?"

Richard Ramey describing the foolishness that took place at The Atlanta Eagle this weekend.