The formation of the SFPD LGBTQ+ Advisory Forum is a vital part of ensuring community input to department policies and procedures that impact our diverse communities. San Francisco is seen worldwide as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people, and I am committed to partnering with the community as we continue the work of becoming a model of 21st Century Policing.
Captain Chris Del Gandio, the SFPD highest ranking LGBTQ+ member and Executive Sponsor of the SFPD LGBTQ+ Advisory Forum, will meet with community members who are answering the call to serve their city, and their community, as permanent voluntary members of the forum.
Some of the work that has been done thus far has made tremendous progress in building trust and legitimacy with the SFPD and the LGBTQ+ community. This work includes training department members in principled policing and implicit bias, training every member on the history and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, being one of the first departments in the national to have a comprehensive policy on interacting with transgender and non-binary people, and being the first department to authorize its members to wear Pride patches during the month of June. We are indebted to the community members, City leaders and LGBTQ+ SFPD members, past and present, who started this work.
The last few years have shown us as a city, and policing as a profession, that the work of police reform and building trust with diverse communities is ongoing and that we can never lose focus on doing what is best for our diverse communities. I want to thank all of the LGBTQ+ community members who have served, and continue to serve on the Forum. The work that you are doing is work that will make San Francisco safer for all people and help the SFPD live up to its commitment of delivering Safety with Respect.
Thank you for stepping up to serve your city and your community. Together we will continue to make our city safety and celebrate that diversity that makes San Francisco a welcoming city for all.
Forum History
Forum SFPD Co-Chair,
Captain Christopher Del Gandio
Forum Community Co-Chair,
Chief Greggy Carey,
Castro Community On Patrol
Forum Community Co-Chair,
Chief Ken Craig,
Community Patrol Service
The Forum was first created under then Chief George Gascon in 2010, and functions as a liaison and conduit for communication, support, and exchange of ideas, and raising concerns directly with the command staff and the Chief of the Department.
The Forum is comprised of members of the LGBTQ+ community, drawn from the broadest possible demographic to ensure all voices are heard. Forum permanent members are unpaid volunteers who dedicate their time and energy through regular meetings, special events, and outreach efforts. The Forum is also comprised of SFPD Officers who offer their insights, guidance, and knowledge to benefit the permanent community members.
All Chiefs of the SFPD have supported the Forum since it was first formed in 2010, and the Forum has successfully implemented a number of initiatives with the full support of the Chiefs and their Command Staff personnel.