Statement of Chief Cathy Lanier on the Expansion of MPD Liaison Units

Friday, June 22, 2007

Chief Cathy Lanier issued a statement regarding the expansion of the department's Gay and Lesbian, Latino, and Asian Liaison Units so that they can meet the public safety needs of these communities better.

I intend to expand the reach of all specialized MPD Units. The Public Safety concerns of the GLBT, Latino and Asian communities extend beyond Northwest DC where each unit is currently headquartered. The District is fortunate to have a diverse population that is not clustered in any one segment of the city. People from all ethnicities reside in every ward, and deserve immediate access to services provided by the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, the Latino Liaison Unit and the Asian Liaison Unit. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the means by which MPD meets the public safety needs of every resident who calls for service. I believe that with the input of the community, we can accomplish this goal. I look forward to meeting with the leaders of the GLBT, Latino and Asian communities to formulate a plan to expand MPD’s specialized units in a way that will address the unique concerns of our diverse population.

If you would like to learn more about upcoming community meetings, or to offer suggestions on the expansion of the units, please email [email protected], or call the following points of contact: