By Andre M. Camp, Ph.D.
DETROIT — The Motor City Pride Festival in Detroit, marking over 50 years of celebration, highlighted its sponsors’ unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. The Detroit Police Department demonstrated its dedication through active participation in the event, emphasizing its ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community via regular meetings, forums and public safety collaborations.
Detroit Police Department Corporal Dani Woods, the department’s LGBTQ Liaison Officer, remarked, “Pride is unique, mainly because it originated from an adverse encounter between the LGBTQ+ community and law enforcement but has evolved into a joyous commemoration.” She emphasized the importance of the festival, which commemorates the Stonewall Riots, and praised Detroit’s strong LGBTQ+ representation in various professions, including law enforcement.
Woods also noted the significant support from the department members, Mayor and Governor’s offices, stating, “The LGBTQ+ community within the ranks and non-sworn proudly participates in the Parade. Due to the ongoing difficulties faced by the LGBTQ+ population in various cities and nations, they have no inclination to engage or establish a connection with law enforcement. Therefore, it is significant that the Detroit Police Department and neighboring communities have garnered the backing of this community.”
The festival included recruitment activities and celebrations, generating enthusiasm among police officers and strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community.
About the author
Andre M. Camp, Ph. D., is a detective for the Detroit Police Department, a professor, and a writer. He has over 25 years of law enforcement experience and is currently a professor at Walsh College and Cleary University. His research is on educational leadership and self-efficacy among police officers. He has published The Relationship Between College-Educated Officers and Their Self-Efficacy on Performance: A Quasi-Experiment. Dr. Camp also mentors youths within the Detroit Public School Community District.