Eclipse Government

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Los Santos Police Department
Los Santos, San Andreas




Los Santos: The month of June is one that holds many celebrations that hold significance and importance to many different people in many different places, one of which is its designation as Pride Month. The recognition and celebration of pride is of great importance to the Los Santos Police Department, not only to ensure the validation, celebration, and recognition of those in the communities we serve, but also as an employer, ensuring those same celebrations for our own employees.

The Los Santos Police Department is and takes pride in being an equal opportunities employer, which means that we are an agency that is committed to providing fair and equal treatment in employment irrespective of race, gender, age, sexuality, religition, or other characteristics, and that we are committed to preventing discrimination in any of our processes.

As a significant portion, if not most, of the Department's support for Pride celebrations is public-facing, we would like to use this opportunity to have an introspective look among our rank and file. Chief Flores extends a message pertaining to the topic at hand.

Chief Elena Flores wrote: When I initially sought to pursue my career with the Los Santos Police Department, it quickly became clear that there was a stigma surrounding gender and sexuality, where there was only one woman recognized within higher ranks of the Department and sexuality was not a topic that was discussed, more akin to the "don't ask, don't tell" practises of the U.S. military until 2011.

It should not have mattered who someone came home to, so long as they had your back when it mattered and when you were out on the street. Not long after the retirement of the then-Chief and his command staff, things changed.

Nowadays, under the Chiefs past that time, and hopefully under my administration as the current Chief of the Los Santos Police Department, that stigma is gone, where everyone can be themselves freely and without judgment, and is free to progress and develop their career without facing repercussions or pushback based on their gender, religion, ideologies, or sexuality.

Pride in general, I feel, is a celebration of identity, culture, and the recognition thereof, and also of their rights. Pride within the Los Santos Police Department, to me, is not only that, but also ensuring that this recognition and celebration are part of the Department's culture in how we interact with each other.

As Chief, I feel like I have more of a responsibility than a typical leader, as I find that I represent both the community and the Department as a whole, and by extension, those under my command who are a part of that community. I find it important to strike a balance between encouraging Pride and integrating it into Department culture while maintaining an open-minded approach to employees that may come from cultures and backgrounds where Pride is not widely celebrated or recognized, or even generally accepted. While we make a notable push, especially during Pride Month, to display our support through events, press releases, and so forth, our other signs of support that affect our employees, such as pride-themed vehicles or policies, are entirely optional to ensure they are available to all but not forced upon those who come from differing cultures.

I am proud of how far we have come in the last few years, and I am proud of how every year, more and more people, not only within the State but also within the Los Santos Police Department, feel comfortable with being themselves and sharing their stories. I, for one, am proud to be a part of not only such a movement, but to be in a position where I can steer and effect change to make sure that those with similar stories to mine, won't have to face as many difficulties as I, and I think that the progress we have all made is worth celebrating.

The Media Relations Division has reached out to a large number of officers of the Los Santos Police Department and officials outside of the Department known to represent or be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and gave them the freedom to write a quote pertaining to Pride and the Los Santos Police Department.

Retired Governor Lewis Langley, San Andreas State Government wrote: It did not occur to me that I would expect to feel comfortable when I first joined the LSPD during my academy.

As a gay man, I braced myself for the worst—awkward silences, offhand comments, people keeping their distance, and I rose through the ranks, I expected disrespect from my subordinates. What I actually found surprised me, the team cared more about who had their back in the field than who someone loved off the clock.

I found allies in places I did not expect—old-school veteran officers who treated me with respect, partners who were genuinely curious instead of judgmental, and leadership that did not just talk about inclusion but made it real. I even met someone whilst serving in the LSPD, Travis McGregor and was in a happy relationship for a while!

I did not have to hide who I was. Being part of the LSPD meant I could serve openly when I chose to —and that meant everything.

Governor Emily Whitehorse, San Andreas State Government wrote: The San Andreas State Government and the Los Santos Police Department are proud to commit to a full and visible display pride throughout the month of June, showcasing our mutual respect and commitment to supporting all members of the LGBTQ+ community. As a member of that community myself, I am proud that the state has built such a strong supportive family of individuals and Government agencies that recognize the importance of pride, even among individuals who they themselves may not be a member of the LGBTQ community. I truly believe love is love, and no individual can take that away from us.

While we have considerable amount of work to do globally to ensure the rights of our community are respected, I couldn't be more happy with what San Andreas, with the support of departments like the LSPD, have managed to accomplish with pride.

Sergeant II Jamie Lockwood, Assistant Commanding Officer, Mission Row Patrol Division wrote: When I first joined the department, I was not planning on finding the community that I did. Having been in the department for a little over a year now, I have found people who share my experience and who are like-minded individuals. I've made friends who, like me, are part of the LGBTQIA community.

Not only have I been fortunate to find like-minded people, but the department and its leadership have shown outward and loud support of me and my community, its truly a pleasure to serve and protect, when I know the department has my back and that I can be myself with no fear of prosecution or discrimination, a privilege that not everyone has.

Detective I Isabella Cavallera, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations Division wrote: In a city that is often less than friendly to the queer community, I have always felt safe around my colleagues in the Los Santos Police Department. Throughout my six years with the Department, I have felt at home and at ease and have never thought twice about being myself.

Police Officer III Ashley Flores, Field Training Officer, Mission Row Patrol Division wrote: I have been in this department for a year or two now and I have found it to be a very welcoming community. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community in this department has been an amazing experience, I could not sum it up into words how the department immediately welcomed me with open arms and has made me feel cherished and respected. I am pansexual and my identity has always had some negative outlooks but the LSPD has always given me room to express my identity.

I have a gorgeous wife who is also in the department who you may know (If you don't, have you been living under a rock?) and my wife and I would like the whole department and community to know that we are eternally grateful for our fellow Officers. Our story began in the LSPD and our fellow Officers have been so supportive throughout our careers. I am proud to be an Officer of the LSPD and I wish everyone a Happy Pride Month!

Sincerely with Love,
Ashley Flores

Police Officer III Austin Reese, SWAT Officer, D Platoon wrote: I'm not superstitious, only a little stitious.

Police Officer III Robin Long, Detective Trainee, Major Crimes Division (they/them) wrote: As a queer employee of the LSPD I do feel comfortable in the department and am very happy to be working alongside others in our community - however I do get constantly get misgendered by my colleagues which is pretty awkward.

We take pride and find joy in having a diverse Department with people of many different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and ideologies, who have come together for a common goal and purpose. It fills us with happiness to have a large number of officers willing to share their experiences with us for public release or share a brief quote. It is through the sharing of these experiences, such as that of Officer Long, that we can reflect on individual concerns and experiences and strive to continuously improve the environment we have created for our employees.

To that end, we would like to take the opportunity to extend our gratitude to the officers who responded to our invitation for a quote; this release would not have had the same impact on the Media Relations Division as it did now, had they not wanted to participate.

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