"Police departments have been trailblazers," Colbert said, "But in Cambridge, you still have a huge gay population and no out officers on the force. I think there's a gap there."

Pasquarello said the department intends to have a liaison, but a specific officers has yet to be selected. He also stressed that the announcement has provoked calls of encouragement from as far as Fort Myers, Fla. and that several individuals have already responded.

Colbert said that not only will the community and potential officers benefit from the announcement, so will closeted cops already on the Cambridge police force.

"We hear that there are gays already on the force, and maybe this [initiative] will create an environment in which they feel more comfortable," he said.

Pasquarello agreed, taking an optimistic look to the future.

"Now that we have addressed the problem, hopefully other [closeted] officers will feel more comfortable coming out," he said.