The culture of the Police Service in Britain is developing into one where you can be as comfortable at work as you are at home – that is the strategic aim. It is worth noting that there are eight local police forces listed in the Stonewall Top 100 Index of gay-friendly employers and LGBT officers are included in the majority of UK police forces. It hasn’t always been this way.

I didn’t come out until 2004. So what stopped me coming out? I’d say I experienced institutionalized hate; out of date legislation; and gleeful, over zealous application of the law. The culture I was working in was very macho, very judgmental.

I remember the day two male police officers in a same-sex relationship were outed and were immediately separated. One was sent to the island of the Isle of Wight and the other Aldershot, some four hours and a ferry journey away. I heard overt racism, sexism and homophobia. When I look back on it there was a canteen culture and institutionalized hate.

We’ve learned the lessons of history. In 1993, the failed investigation by police into the hate-motivated murder of Stephen Lawrence, a young black man, led to the Police Service addressing issues of institutionalized racism – which in turn led to the service as a national organization ensuring every officer was trained in diversity issues.

Through that work, the service addressed other strands of diversity including sexual orientation. There began the introduction of positive working groups; diversity showcases; advocating on behalf of diverse groups within the service; and the positive action leadership program – all driven by the National Police Improvement Agency in the early part of this century. The legacy of that period is there for all to see.

Over the past 15 years there has been a dramatic changing in environment, the organization has evolved. I do not recognize the organization now as the one that I joined 29 years ago. It has matured beyond all recognition. Officers and staff now report colleagues exhibiting unacceptable views and behaviors.

We have earned the trust of the LGBT community and we know this because more instances of hate crime are being reported to us, our survey results for satisfaction carried out with every victim of crime are very high.

Such focus and rigor around performance, awareness and providing bespoke service contributes to the confidence of local LGBT communities that their local police will address the crime that matters most to them, in a sensitive and well-informed manner.

We know that a huge amount of homophobic bullying goes on in schools. We know that disproportionate numbers of young LGBT self-harm and commit suicide. Our It Gets Better film, which you can get below, and DVD is aimed at getting them to come forward and report.

Forty officers from all over the country came together and gave their stories. The DVD offers messages of support and encouragement to young people struggling with their sexual identity or who are being bullied for being ‘different’.

The officers tell their stories, explain that suicide is not the answer and encourage young people to come forward and talk to us.

We will be there for LGBT youth when nobody else is.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Morgan, police officer of 29 years and the national lead for LGBT issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers, is responsible for driving positive action at a national level within policing in the United Kingdom. She commissioned a new It Gets Better video with a message from 40 gay British cops working to reduce suicide rates among gay teens in the UK.

Watch the video here: