Statement ahead of 4th World LGBTQI+ Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals

EGPA at the 4th World Conference of LGBTI Police and Justice Professionals: Bridging the gap to a Peaceful Society and Learning from the Whole World - by EGPA President, Alain Parmentier:

The European LGBT Police Association (EGPA) is proud to announce its active participation in the 4th World Conference of LGBTI Police and Justice Professionals, to be held in Austin, Texas, from 5 to 8 August 2025.

In an international context where misunderstanding and ignorance of the LGBTI issue persist, this conference represents a vitally important platform for exchange and dialogue. It is vital for the EGPA to be visible on the world stage in order to exchange best practice, to answer the legitimate questions of our colleagues and of society in general, and to contribute to building a future where everyone can live in a peaceful and understanding society.

EGPA will be represented alongside delegations from 8 European countries, demonstrating the growing commitment of our continent.

The participation of Switzerland, Finland, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Italy will provide an opportunity to share the expertise we have acquired over our 21 years of existence in Europe, particularly through the training courses we run.

We will have the honour of running a workshop dedicated to techniques for raising awareness of LGBTI issues during training sessions for our police colleagues. The aim is clear: to provide them with the tools they need to do their job better with the LGBTI public, and to improve relations between our colleagues within their police units.

We also hope to learn a great deal from the experience of our colleagues from other continents, as their experiences and approaches will be invaluable in enriching our own practices and broadening our perspective.

Our mission is to bring citizens closer to the police, whose mission is to serve and protect all populations. We are proud of our profession. We firmly believe that being LGBTI or not should in no way be a condition hindering a fulfilling professional career in law enforcement. Diversity is a strength, and inclusion is a duty.

We look forward to contributing to the debates, learning from the experiences of other nations and strengthening links with our counterparts around the world to advance equality and respect within our institutions.

Alain Parmentier, President of EGPA, said: "This conference is a crucial step. Each exchange, each shared training session is another step towards a police force that reflects and protects all facets of our society. Being present with 7 European countries and having the chance to learn from practices from all over the world is a huge opportunity to build a fairer and more humane police force. We are dedicated professionals, and our identity is an asset that we putat the service of all citizens."

Alain Parmentier

President of the EGPA

European LGBTI Police Association