Humanizing 'the person behind the uniform': Toronto cop making documentary on LGBTQ officers
Const. Patty Retsinas hopes the documentary will help cops struggling with their sexual orientation
A Toronto police officer who says she once struggled with coming out while working asa cop is now co-producing adocumentary about LGBTQ officers.
It's called Coming Out Cops, and it's meant to"humanize the person behind the uniform," said Const.Patty Retsinas, a 28-year policing veteran.
"WhenI first came on as a police officer I was in the closet [and]it was not acceptable to be out as a gay officer back then ...I really went through some turmoil and some very difficult experiences because of my sexual orientation," she said.
The documentarywill feature a collection of interviews with people who work in law enforcement and explore the lives of LGBTQ officers.
Toronto Police Const. Patty Retsinas explains why she decided to help co-produce "Coming Out Cops," a documentary about LGBTQ police officers. pic.twitter.com/winKAvIfLF
—@CBCToronto
"I really want to give back to our members and those who are still having difficulties with their sexual orientation," said Retsinas, who is also the co-chair of the Toronto Police LGBTQ Internal Support Network.
Retsinas says shehopes the documentary will help officers who are part of the LGBTQ communityfeel more comfortable working in their field.