Chandler police reaching out to city’s LGBT residents

PHOENIX — Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents in Chandler, Ariz., should feel a little more included thanks to the city’s police department.

“A lot of people feel not represented, not understood in many ways, so the goal of the city and the police department was to make sure we are all-inclusive,” said Sgt. Joe Favazzo of the department’s new LGBT committee.

The decision to form the committee was not reactionary. Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan told the East Valley Tribune the department wanted to form a deeper relationship with that portion of the community.

The committee may be designed for outreach, but Favazzo said it’s open for anyone who wants to talk — cops included.

“Individuals from inside the department, inside the city that have identified themselves as LGBT and would like maybe somebody to talk to,” he said.

Favazzo said the department is hiring to staff the committee. He hopes members of the LGBT community will not only apply, but consider careers in law enforcement.

KTAR’s Martha Maurer contributed to this report.