It was a defining moment for the sergeant, who represents the LGBTIQA+ community in the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District as a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO).

"The rainbow is a distinct symbol of the LGBTIQA community. By having this rainbow sticker on the door, it spreads the message that this is a safe place for members of that community to come, that they are equal and that we are here for them," she said.

There are more than 300 GLLO's in the NSW Police Force, with at least one in every district.

A GLLO's role is to act as a contact officer for the broader sexuality, gender diverse and intersex communities.

Their training includes learning specific information on the history of the relationship between police and LGBTIQ communities, challenges and sensitivities experienced by some community members in dealing with police, and effective responses to people who become victims of crime.

They also assist police to respond to homophobic and transphobic incidents and provide support to LGBTIQ staff.

"My role is to be a go-between for officers in the workplace who may identify in the LGBTIQ community or are struggling with issues in the community," she said.

"I also liaise with ACON and a number of other organisations and groups outside of the police and help with victim support - I work with those persons so they feel comfortable to report incidents to police without backlash.

"As the sign says, they're Welcome Here. They can feel free to report anything to police and trust we won't ostracise them."

Sergeant Rawlinson has been a police officer for 24 years, the past nine of which has been in the Port-Hunter district. She has been a GLLO for two and a half years.

It is a role an officer puts their hand up for in addition to their other duties. Sergeant Rawlinson is also the station manager at Raymond Terrace, custody manager and general duties supervisor.

The sergeant said she was "proud" to be an advocate for the LGBTIQA community through the police.

The past three years Sergeant Rawlinson has marched with the NSW Police Force in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, even carrying the flag at the front of the contingency during the parade in March.

"Through our participation in Mardi Gras, days like Wear it Purple day and events that support LGBTIQ people it helps make police feel more accessible to the community," she said.

The Port Stephens-Hunter Police District has taken the next step in becoming a safe space for all members of the community.

A 'Welcome Here' rainbow sticker has now been placed on the front door to Raymond Terrace Police Station, representing the NSW Police Force's commitment of being welcoming and inclusive of the LGBTIQA+ community.

Stickers will also be placed on the district's two other major policing hubs, the Nelson Bay and Maitland stations, as part of the NSW Police Force's statewide rollout of the Welcome Here project.

"Members of the community should feel safe to report crime and know that our stations are a safe place to seek refuge if they are under the threat of violence," said Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot, the NSW Police Force's corporate sponsor for sexuality, gender diversity and intersex.

"This is one of the first district's across NSW to have the Welcome Here project launched at and I know the LGBTIQA+ community are in good hands with the staff here."

Welcome Here replaces the Safe Place project created in 1992 in response to high levels of street-based violence toward LGBTIQA+ people.

Businesses signed up to become a 'Safe Place' and displayed a sticker in their shopfront to let the LGBTIQA+ community know they could seek refuge there if they were under the threat of violence.

The project was created by ACON, a NSW-based health organisation that supports the LGBTQ community and people living with HIV.

Assistant Commissioner Talbot said that while street-based violence has reduced over time, there was still work to be done in that space.

"By becoming a registered Welcome Here place, police are helping create positive social change throughout NSW," she said.

The sticker was placed on the door of the Raymond Terrace station on Thursday, May 19 by new district commander Superintendent Wayne Humphrey and Sergeant Kathryn Rawlinson, the Port Stephens-Hunter's Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO).

LGBTIQA+ is an evolving acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual.

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