Homosexual Police Officers 109Although some gay and lesbian officers have received tremendous support from
fellow officers, others have been put at risk by partners or colleagues who are un-
willing to back them up (Buhrke, 1996). Policies such as the 1964 Civil Rights
Act and the 1972 Equal Employment Act were created to protect workers from
discrimination particularly on the basis of color or gender. However, antidiscrim-
ination policies that include sexual discrimination are lacking at both the federal
and local levels. Some researchers argue that until sexual orientation is federally
protected, homosexual officers will be subjected to harassment and discrimina-
tion in the workplace (Buhrke, 1996). Despite encouraging trends toward ac-
ceptance, many homosexual officers still face tremendous obstacles in the stereo-
typically masculine profession of law enforcement. Consider the following case
illustration.
hi the early 1980s, Mitch Grobeson graduated Number One in his class at the Los
Angeles police academy. When he joined the police department it was standard practice
to ask the recruits if they had ever had sex with another man. An answer of yes resulted
in immediate disqualification. Concealing his sexual orientation, Mitch was an honor
cadet and was elected class president. After graduation from the academy, he was quickly
promoted. During this time it was common practice tor officers to actively harass gays
on the streets and to raid gay bars.
In December of 1984, another officer reported to Mitch's superior officer that Mitch
was gay. Despite the harassment he subsequently endured from his supervisors and fellow
officers, Mitch did not resign. Suffering ridicule, intimidation, and alienation, lie was
one of the top officers in his division. Officers would glue his locker shut and call him a
variety of derogatory names. Many officers refused to work with him.
His colleagues refused to back him up in the field. In one instance Mitch responded
to a robbery alarm call (rated in California as the second highest call where officers are
killed or injured) and received no backup. On October 6, 1985. he was in foot pursuit
of two gang members. After catching and handcuffing the first, he caught up with the
second. He had no way to cuff the second suspect and he was surrounded by 30 additional
gang members. Fifteen minutes after the pursuit began and after many frantic attempts
made by the dispatcher, not one of the 8000 Los Angeles police department (LAP!))
officers provided back up.
Mitch's superiors did nothing to curtail the harassment and in many cases encouraged
it. Eventually, Mitch resigned from the LAPD, hired a lawyer, and filed the first lawsuit in
the country by a police officer claiming discrimination based on sexual orientation. On
February 10. 1993, the City Council agreed on a settlement that "included recruitment,
hiring, and promotions of qualified gays and lesbians in l.API)." In addition, managers and
supervisors would be held accountable for failing to take action to stop the harassment.
(Adapted from Buhrke, 1996, pp. 25-32)Literature Review
Mitch Grobeson s case illustrates the potential for conflict between the police and the
gay officer. The image of bravado and machismo that is attached to police officers
is diametrically opposed to stereotypes that label gay men as effeminate or weak.