The Cincinnati Police Chief is appointing the city's first ever liaison with the gay and lesbian community.

Equality Cincinnati Board President Matt Murray says it is extremely encouraging that Chief James Craig is appointing an officer as the police liaison for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"It's to build a comfort level with the LGBT community to know that if they need these safety departments they can do it without discrimination and feel comfortable that they're going to be treated fairly and equally."

Murray says there have been instances where members of the LGBT community felt they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Police spokeswoman Lt. Lisa Davis says the Liaison was Chief Craig's idea.

"(To) make sure needs were being met and that there weren't issues that maybe we weren't missing as police."

The liaison is 21 year police veteran Angela Vance, a lesbian and the only female member of the swat team.

Vance is being introduced at forum Thursday night at 6 at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts.