The Portsmouth Police Department has appointed its first liaison for the LGBTQ community. Chief Tonya Chapman announced that Captain Kenneth Saucer would take the position.
“This unequivocal response by the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Police Departments shows us all the necessity to have resources available to address the concerns of our LGBTQ community,” said Police Chief Tonya Chapman. “The Portsmouth Police Department treasures its efforts to build trust within our community and views the appointment of an LGBTQ Liaison as an additional method to ensure that all citizens are treated fairly, with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The LGBTQ program focuses on the public safety needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities. Captain Saucer will also serve as an extra resource for members of the LGBTQ community, who have become victims of crimes motivated by violence or hate. The goal of the program is to make sure these crimes don’t go unaddressed and in effort to break the cycle of animosity toward the LGBTQ community.
Captain Saucer joined Portsmouth police on November 20, 2000. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2011 and has been a Captain since August 16. Currently, he’s assigned as Commander of the Portsmouth Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau.
The Portsmouth Police Department is the latest of the Seven Cities to implement an LGBTQ program. The Norfolk Police Department first introduced the LGBTQ liaison program in August 2015. Virginia Beach followed suit in May with their first LGBTQ liaison officer.
Contact the LGBTQ liaison office at email to ppdLGBT@portsmouthva.gov.
