Toronto police
actively recruit LGBT officers

The Toronto police service has made a strong effort to diversify its force by recruiting individuals who vary in ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. Last weekend officers were even in the city's gay neighborhood actively looking for new recruits, reports the Canadian newspaper LondonFree Press. "Our service wants to reflect our diverse communities in the city," Constable Gail Steed of the police employment unit told the paper. "We don't ask anybody to tell us their sexual preference; we just strive to get an accurate representation of the city." "I think it's great the police are coming to the gay community for these sessions," said Mike Schneider, an attendee of the recruiting session. "This is very encouraging, and it shows the police support and welcome us." The session was one of many recruiting events held by the Toronto police force. However, staff sergeant Don Cole said he disapproves of recruiting sessions aimed at specific groups of people. "Anybody is free to join," Cole told the London FreePress. "We should be looking for the best people, not people who fit the quotas and are substandard. I don't see where we are going with this." (The Advocate)