The Traverse City Police Department has appointed a new LGBTQ liaison to serve as a point of contact for both community members and department staff, the department announced Monday.

Officer Krista Fryczynski will serve as the LGBTQ liaison as part of a "proactive effort to build on and strengthen the relationship between the LGBTQ community and the Traverse City Police Department," according to a department release. Chief Jeff O'Brien said Fryczynski "will advocate creating mutual trust so the community members can gain increasing confidence in the police through the provision of fair and professional policing services," adding Fryczynski will strive to "enhance Traverse City's livability by implementing community policing projects and supporting a variety of diversity and equity initiatives."

Fryczynski was sworn in as a TCPD officer in May 2019 after completing the Northwestern Michigan College Law Enforcement Academy program. "She has been a dedicated member of the department, and we are pleased to make this announcement to the community on her behalf," the TCPD wrote. The announcement comes during Traverse City's Pride Week, which was moved from June to October 13-17 this year due to the pandemic.