LGBTQIA+ Representative, Sgt. David Chambers
I am excited to be the LGBTQIA+ community liaison with UTPD. Over the last 20 years, I have had the opportunity to work in higher education, be a professional firefighter, and now a police officer; yet one passion has always remained consistent– my connection with the LGBTQIA+ community.
As a former board member for a national public safety and military LGBTQIA+ organization, I have seen and heard the need for improved understanding, training and policies for law enforcement that support the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, it is important for the LGBTQIA+ community to view law enforcement departments as a resource to assist them.
My wish and goal is to improve the relationships between the law enforcement community and the LGBTQIA+ community so that, together, we can begin to change the world. Email me at david.chambers@austin.utexas.edu. Read more about Sgt. Chambers.
Athletics Representatives, Lt. Wayne Coffey and Lt. Jimmy Moore
(Pictured L2R: Lt. Moore, Lt. Coffey)
Our experience in the NFL and college sports gives us insight into what it is like for athletes as they strive to be a student, athlete, and university community member.
The mission is to provide an environment for athletes to reach their full potential through partnerships with police and community utilizing athletics and other programs which are geared to improving the quality of life of its participants. By promoting confidence, self-esteem, civic engagement, academic achievement and social principles, this program will aide them in becoming productive members of society. Athletes learn that they have the mental and physical resources to overcome any obstacles to achieve success. They also gain the reward of feeling that they are an important and valuable part of their community. These student athletes also have private lives that include their family members and UTPD has a community policing responsibility to the students and their families.
The program has already demonstrated results that are mutually beneficial as we have had several coaches and athletes reach out to us for assistance. We encourage athletes to reach out to us wayne.coffey@austin.utexas.edu and jimmy.moore@austin.utexas.edu.
