It is my obligation as the Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to ensure that I deploy personnel in a manner which best addresses the public safety needs of the residents of the District of Columbia, including the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Latino communities.

I recognize that MPD has a highly effective Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU) and Latino Liaison Unit (LLU), however I firmly believe that both units can be even more effective if their reach is broadened throughout the District.

The community may rest assured that any decision to realign either the GLLU or LLU will be made with the sole intention of increasing public safety and will not diminish the cohesiveness or effectiveness of either unit. The services currently provided by both the GLLU and the LLU will remain the same.

I will not make a final decision on any such realignments without first seeking the input of the Latino and LGBT communities. Their voices are important to this process and deserve to be heard. Together we can come up with a community-tailored strategy which allow MPD to better protect District residents.