Finally tonight, Jersey City is trying to bridge the divide between law enforcement and the LGBTQ community by appointing one of the city's police officers to serve as a new liaison with the mission of advocating for inclusivity and respect within the LGBTQ community.

But the new liaison will also be charged with educating both the public and fellow officers about bias incidents and how to handle them with an end goal.

As senior Correspondent Joanna Gagis reports of changing police culture.

We just want to make sure that every single person in New Jersey gets treated with the same respect as everybody else.

That's how retired state Police Captain John Hayes approached his policing efforts before retiring.

But he and is now off duty partner Dave D'Amico, know that in spite of their efforts, not everyone feels that sense of respect from the police.

The LGBTQ community doesn't necessarily trust law enforcement, and for many different reasons.

Both Hayes and D'Amico are openly gay officers.

Both came out at a time when it wasn't well-received.

In 2016, they came together to confront the mistrust between LGBTQ folks and police.

With the help of Christian Foose Guarino from Garden State Equality.

LGBTQ individuals and the law enforcement community have a long, troubled history dating all the way back to 1969 at the Stonewall Riots and prior.

It's our job, in my opinion, as police to make sure that we bridge that gap and make sure that every single person that identifies LGBTQ that they can feel comfortable going to the police.

One is either as a witness to a crime or as a victim to a crime and know that they'll be respected.

But too often many don't come forward.

So Hayes and D'Amico connected with two LGBTQ police liaisons from Jersey City and Newark.

These are outwardly facing law enforcement members who identify as LGBTQ.

Together, they started an initiative to encourage more departments across the state to create liaison roles.

Detective Darrell Middleton heard about it at a pride event a few years ago, and says it felt like the right step for him.

I didn't realize the need in the community until I got involved, until I got to meet some of the residents of the town That said, I don't think you understand how big this is that you are representing that community and that we have a route to meet.

So communicate and connect with law enforcement.

Up to 140, 140 represented over 70 to law enforcement agencies in the state and work continually growing Port Authority.

We have in excess of ten liaisons, Department of Corrections.

We have multiple liaisons role now.

We have multiple liaisons.

As they grow, they stay true to four key goals rebuild trust by engaging with the community to let them know liaisons are there.

Recruit LGBTQ individuals to join the ranks of law enforcement or take on the role within their current department.

Create a support network for other LGBTQ police officers and train new and existing officers on how to interact with the LGBTQ community.

This has allowed me to train both new and veteran police officers on how to deal with members of the LGBTQ community.

So topics such as what's come easy to me, but not everyone knows preferred pronouns, gender identity, sexual orientation.

So these are conversations that I'm allowed to have with members of my department that they necessarily wouldn't have, right?

So now when they deal with members of the community, they have a better understanding when they're dealing with victims.

How does this work also change the culture within police departments around the state that perhaps haven't been as understanding or responsive to the LGBTQ community?

We found it to be extremely effective, and I think that law enforcement agencies are moving in the right direction, too, because they're recognizing the importance of diversity.

These are changemakers because they are changing perceptions and helping to improve the culture, both within their profession and as as law enforcement professionals engage with local communities.

It helps to promote a safer city and a safer environment for both us and the community that we police.

They're asking anyone who wants to become a liaison to reach out and continue the change in their own community.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Joanna Gagis.