El Paso LGBT group to conduct sensitivity trainings for local police officers

An El Paso LGBT group hopes to conduct diversity trainings for the city's police department after an officer forcibly removed a group of men from a local fast food restaurant in June.

A security guard at a Chico's Tacos restaurant called the El Paso Police Department on June 29 to report two men kissing. An officer who responded to the scene not only refused to assist the men, but threatened to cite them for "homosexual activity" on the grounds same-sex kissing was forbidden in public. EPPD chief Greg Allen later disavowed the officer's statements as "an incorrect recitation of the law." And his press release further promised to "require that all employees of the police department maintain a level of competence that keeps them abreast of the current laws and requirements of the law enforcement profession."

To ensure complience (and help maintain public confidence in El Paso's police among the LGBT community) Puentes LGBT Resources is leading the effort to bring diversity training and awareness to officers and cadets alike.

Puentes began in 2007 as a group that advocates on behalf of gay and lesbian victims of domestic or intimate partner violence.

"We started taking a survey on people's attitudes towards partner violence and the services that exist in El Paso," Puentes spokesperson Sam Aguilera said. "One of the questions was, would you feel comfortable contacting the police department."

Aguilera said he hopes the Chico's Tacos incident does not deter LGBT El Pasoans from seeking assistance from the authorities, whether it is due to domestic partner violence or any other problem. He added he remains optimistic the EPPD will use the data Puentes has compiled since 2007. The organization plans to release a report by Oct. 14--on the same day its members will hope a sensitive training for members of the city's judiciary.

"We've also invited the El Paso police and Sheriff's departments," Aguilera said.

Whether or not the police department attends the Oct. 14 event, Puentes board member Raul Martinez said he remains optimistic that diversity training will soon be added to the cadet program. And that current officers will receive the training as well.

"We met with [Chief of Police Greg] Allen in early August," Martinez said. "He was very responsive, and recognized the necessity for this type of training to be implemented. He placed us in contact with one of his higher-ranking officers so we can identify the next step. We've had phone conversations and are in the planning process."

Their goal, says Martinez, is to have diversity seminars during the next Cadet training period (which has yet to be scheduled.)

Puentes has also suggested the police department hire a liaison officer to work with LGBT El Pasoans. Members said the EPPD was receptive, but it has yet to act upon the request. And for now, Aguilera said Puentes remains focused on restoring public faitn in the police and

that El Paso be given a liason officer to the LGBT community. The department was receptive, but has yet to act on that request. For now, PUENTES is focused on "educating the other officers so something like this (the Chico's Tacos incident) never occurs again."