Who Forgot Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Police Officers? Findings from a National Survey

Jones, Matthew (2015). Who Forgot Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Police Officers? Findings from a National Survey. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 9(1) pp. 65–76.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pau061

Abstract

This article highlights the intersection of sexualities with contemporary police diversity debates. It showcases the findings of a national survey of LGB police officers in England and Wales, representing one of the largest
datasets of its kind (n = 836). Presenting the main findings from the survey, the article identifies that the workplace experiences of these once stigmatized and rejected officers have been transformed post-Macpherson, but that some resistances and anxieties persist. Throughout, the complexity of managing LGB identities in professional policing contexts’ are demonstrated. The article calls on police constabularies not to see diversity reform as complete, but rather to further invest and address issues raised in this research by LGB officers themselves so that their career experiences can be further improved and contributions maximized.