Meet Officer Draper, the LGBT+ Liaison for Waco PD

Waco, TX ( FOX 44 ) — Officer Janae Draper wants to connect by putting her name out into the LGBTQ+ Community to let them know they have someone on their side.

"What I'm trying to do for the community is give them a pathway that they can talk to someone that can come and reach out to, someone that can be visible, that they know that they can trust in the police department," says LGBT+ Liaison, Officer Janae Draper.

Sarah and her son Caleb Miller, who are part of the community have been to Waco Pride Network events. Sarah met Officer Draper at an event when she heard about the LGBT+ Liaison position.

"I thought that it's weird, because in the past LGBTQ people have not had a great relationship with the police department. Not just Waco, but any police department. Once I found out that she had made this specific position, I was super excited," says community member, Sarah Miller.

When Draper was given this position her goal was to start an LGBT+ awareness training for officers and the Waco community.

"It's basically was developed to help officers, to understand the terminology, understanding hate crimes, understanding the history, why there's some distrust there," says Officer Draper.

Caleb and Sarah's hope by having the LGBT+ Liaison position can open some new doors for both Waco PD and the LGBT+ community.

"I kind of hope that the LGBTQ+ community and Waco PD and just all police departments can kind of restore their bond with each other and get along better," says community member, Caleb Miller.

The purpose of the LGBTQ+ Liaison position is to establish, maintain, strengthen, and enhance the relationships between the Waco Police Department and the LGBTQ+ community.