Boston Police Department Will Recruit Homosexual Officers

The Boston Police Department, responding to criticism from a gay rights group, announced Friday that it will actively recruit homosexual officers before the next police entrance exams.

The department was considering a proposal for employment advertising submitted by Bay Windows, a gay publication serving New England, police spokeswoman Nancy Sterling Gleason said.

“We will be happy to attend any functions on recruitment,” she said.

The department also plans to strengthen its presence in the homosexual community by sending liaison officers to attend more functions there, Gleason said.

The plan follows recent recommendations by the Boston Lesbian and Gay Alliance, which documented 135 cases of verbal and physical abuse against homosexuals, including five allegedly by police officers.

The alliance called for active recruitment of homosexual officers and improved record-keeping of violence against homosexuals. Members said the lack of any openly homosexual officers on the 1,800-member force fosters distrust between the homosexual community and law enforcement officials.