Monmouth County Prosecutor Hosts Meeting Of LGBTQ+ Program

FREEHOLD, NJ — Ensuring that inclusivity and equality "permeate everything we do" is fundamental to law enforcement in the state, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago says.

So he and Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Chief of Detectives John G. McCabe Jr. said they were "honored" to deliver opening remarks when the office hosted a statewide meeting of the LGBTQ+ Law Enforcement Liaisons Program in Freehold late last week.

The program’s mission is to foster positive interactions between the LGBTQ+ community and law-enforcement agencies, the office said in a Facebook post.

About half of the 100-plus liaisons were in attendance, including several county detectives and assistant prosecutors who actively support the program's mission.

Liaisons advocate internally within the criminal justice system on behalf of LGBTQ+ community members seeking help navigating law enforcement interactions.

They also try to build affirming and inclusive workplace environments for other LGBTQ+-identified officers and allies, the office said.

Santiago said he and McCabe - and the Monmouth County office - "extend our sincere thanks to this program for working toward this goal every day."