PC Amy Tapping is the LGBT co-chair for the National Police Network and works in the Force Coordination Centre in Northumbria Police.

Amy's inspiration for joining the police stemmed from Amy's strong sense of justice, Amy wanted to be that person who is present and able to help communities. 

When Amy was at school Section 28 was in place, and that meant that the staff in the school couldn't support any of the LGBT students. It was really a subject that was ignored. So joining the police Amy felt unable to be open about her identity. However, soon after joining she felt welcomed and able to express herself. 

Years prior to the creation of the LGBT network Amy felt that someone was missing and that she was negatively impacted by not having a support association. 

The force level associations are there to support  colleagues and to support  potential colleagues. It is there to show that being LGBT+ isn't a barrier to policing. The force looks at ensuring that it provides a better service to the public and  supports victims of crime, whether it's hate crime or whether it's domestic abuse within the same sex relationships.