Columbia Police Department announces new LGBT liaison officer

The Columbia Police Department has announced the appointment of Officer Clint Sinclair to serve a liaison officer to the city’s LGBT community.

In the department’s announcement, Sinclair says Columbia has a large LGBT community, which for law enforcement can present new and unique challenges. Officials say creating this new position is an effort to bridge any gaps existing between the police department and the LGBT community.

“The creation of a LGBT liaison will provide a point of contact for both members of the community and officers who interact with this population on a regular basis,” said Sinclair.

Sinclair has been with the Columbia Police Department for six years and currently works in the DWI Unit. Fulfilling the liaison responsibilities will be an addition to Sinclair’s regular duties, and he will not be the only officer to handle LGBT-related calls. The department says his main goal will be to build trust between police officers and LGBT community members.

Among his duties: assisting and consulting other officers on cases involving LGBT issues, training department members on LGBT topics, attend events in the LGBT community as a representative of the police department, and meet with business owners, community groups, and individuals in the LGBT community to present information on law enforcement issues.

LGBT-related organizations willing to provide a service, act as a resource, or which are interested in having Sinclair attend a meeting can contact him at Clinton.Sinclair@CoMo.gov