Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Officer Danielle "Dani" Woods

Danielle Woods is a Detroit native and 16-year veteran with the Detroit Police Department. She is currently assigned to the Chief's Neighborhood Liaison unit where she coordinates and oversees the operations of the Citizen Radio Patrol. She recalls responding to a domestic violence disturbance in 2006 that was between two females who were romantically involved. Her male partner at the time made an offensive remark about the couple's sexual orientation. Woods was so upset that she approached her boss about the need for a community liaison officer for the LGBT community.

Woods was appointed the Detroit Police Department's first LGBT liaison officer in 2013. She formulated the first LGBT Advisory Board Committee under the appointment of Chief James E. Craig and is a driving force in the LGBT community in her efforts of "Bridging the Gap" between law enforcement and the LGBT community.

Woods says her role as LGBT liaison is to "serve as a bridge between the LGBT community and the police department," helping to build mutual trust, respect, and understanding between the two groups. She works closely with LGBT organizations within Detroit and surrounding areas, including Equality Michigan, the Ruth Ellis Center, Affirmations, and LGBT Detroit, and serves on an LGBT advisory board whose goal is to advocate for the LGBT community and make sure their concerns are heard.