Blog | Introduction of Network Co-Chair – Chief Inspector Lee Broadstock

On Wednesday 11th January 2022 the National LGBT+ Police Network held an NCG (National Coordination Group) meeting with the addition of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The EGM being required due to National LGBT+ Police Network Co-Chair Clint Blackburn providing his intention to stand down effective from the December 2021 NCG meeting.

During the EGM, votes were cast by the Regional Representatives on behalf of the LGBT+ Networks that they represent, and Chief Inspector Lee Broadstock of Greater Manchester Police was successful. Lee says:

I was very pleased and proud to have been elected as the new Co-Chair, taking over from Clint. It really is a huge honour to hold the position and to work alongside Amy Tapping, who remains in her first tenure as Co-Chair.

For those that don’t know me, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself:

I am currently an operational Chief Inspector on a busy district in Greater Manchester Police and I have been on the executive committee as either chair or co-chair of GMP’s Pride Network since 2011, so a significant time, and I’m really proud of the achievements and developments made by GMP Pride Network over the past 10 years. Prior to COVID19, Manchester Pride was really well represented by Police participants from across the UK and beyond, and at the Pride Parade in August 2014 the world’s first rainbow liveried police vehicle was launched. It has been amazing to see this idea replicated across the UK and across the globe.

From the connections made at Manchester Pride, the idea for a new National LGBT+ Network was formed and here we are now with what is recognised by the NPCC, College of Policing and other notable stakeholders as the most engaged and impactive staff network in Policing, everyone who has been involved with the National, at Regional level and at a force/agency level should be really proud of this achievement, I know that I am.

With this recognition comes a sense of responsibility that I now share with Amy, and at the NCG meeting, both Amy and I noted how challenging the current climate is and how challenging the next few years will be for LGBT+ policing, but collectively we will meet the challenges and will make Policing UK a better place for our LGBT+ colleagues and for the LGBT+ community. How could we fail with the amazing people we have in our Networks.

I plan for this to be the first of a series of blogs from myself and Amy and also the rest of the NCG team, as the Network is a team, a fantastic and inspiring team.

I would also like to welcome PC Dan Low from Sussex as the new secretary of the Network, taking on my previous role. It was stated that Dan has big shoes to fill, to which I must point out Dan has bigger shoes than me, so he will prove to be excellent as your new secretary.

I cannot end without paying thanks to Clint Blackburn. Clint has been a great Co-Chair and leader and I know he is not far away for advice and guidance. Also thanks to Tracy O’Hara, Lou Provart and Peter Rigby, the previous Co-Chairs who have all played vital parts in making this network what it is today.

And finally, thanks to our outgoing NPCC LGBT+ lead – now retired DCC Julie Cooke. Julie was the most incredible lead and ally for us, and is now a friend to many of us. We are all looking forward to getting to know our new NPCC LGBT+ lead DCC Vanessa Jardine and welcome her into her new role.

Best wishes to you all and enjoy LGBT+ history month 2022 and all of this years upcoming community events

Lee