SJPD hopes to recruit officers from the LGBTQ community
The San Jose Police Department continues its push to recruit more officers. But leaders are using a unique marking to lure members of one community to sign-up and serve. The SJPD is using the weekend of Silicon Valley Pride to launch its first ever direct effort to appeal to the LGBTQ community, "SJPD and Your Family."
During the Pride Parade this weekend, the department will hand out promotional materials showing three couples -- one straight, one gay and one lesbian. It's the first time the department has used images of gay or lesbian couples to directly market to that community at the Pride celebration. Chief Eddie Garcia also says a new liaison officer position has been created, since he says the LGBTFQ community is often overlooked when it comes to crime.
Cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco have similar liaison positions in their departments.
Department and city leaders say the promotional materials this weekend are another way to let people know the SJPD is hiring from all segments of the community.