DOJ publishes video offering law enforcement officers guidance on dealing with Transgender people

Link to article

A new Department of Justice video aims to give police officers a working knowledge of transgender issues and terminology in an effort to quash potentially tense situations before they arise.

The 12-minute video, “Law Enforcement and the Transgender Community,” examines three “non-emergency, non-crisis” routine situations in which cops may interact with trans people: a traffic stop, an alleged assault and a public restroom. Produced by the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service (CRS), the clip, which was released Thursday, features re-enactments that offer tips and suggestions on how officers can do their job professionally and with respect for the person’s gender identity.

I for one am pleasantly surprised to see something like this put forth from the DOJ and I can only hope that this will help to mend tenuous relations between law enforcement and the Trans community. Trans people are humans too and deserve every bit of courtesy, dignity and professionalism that any upstanding citizen deserves. I can't tell you how many horror stories I have heard about interactions between LE and Trans people. The worst of it being Trans women being killed by off duty officers for who knows what reasons. It is also well known in the Trans community that if incarcerated you are just as likely to be sexually assaulted by a CO as you are another inmate. Anyway I think this is a great thing and I only hope that at least some officers listen and take this guidance to heart.

Geez, only cops need a manual for stuff like this.

Chapter One:

How to treat all people like any other people...

a reply to: intrptr

Not really sure what your point is and I agree with your sentiment too by the way. I just thought this was a positive thing in a world filled with so much negative and I felt compelled to share, excuse me for such ignorance.

Good for sharing OP. While I don't agree with all of what the DOJ does and other governmental entities of what they do this appears to be a good step which is sorely needed.

originally posted by: intrptr

Geez, only cops need a manual for stuff like this.

Chapter One:

How to treat all people like any other people...

Some need manuals in general for just dealing with people overall.

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

No problem. Some cops should be relearning how not to shoot first and ask questions later.

Further: I think cops training should include becoming poor, addicted to substances and living in the ghetto or projects for six months. If they survive and get cleaned up, then they can police the hood.

Flame on

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

No problem. Some cops should be relearning how not to shoot first and ask questions later.

Further: I think cops training should include becoming poor, addicted to substances and living in the ghetto or projects for six months. If they survive and get cleaned up, then they can police the hood.

Flame on

WTF

a reply to: Orionx2

OJT

I gave it a flag and star for treating people with courtesy. However I believe a biological male should not be allowed to use a women's restroom. It makes it too easy for sexual predators or peeping toms to dress as a woman and then go in a women's restroom and take pics under the stall with their cellphone or harass women sexually. It's already happened in Washington State. There will have to be a third restroom, it looks like, for either/or. In the case of where there's only a men's and women's restroom, biological males should use the men's room and the same applies to biological females using the women's restroom. The protection of the public outweighs the transgenders' rights in my opinion.

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

I'm not sure what would be different in dealing with a trans person as opposed to anyone else, except for where to house them when in jail or whether they should be searched by a male or female officer.

But why would a traffic stop or other regular police encounter need separate protocol when dealing with a trans person?

originally posted by: dreamingawake
Good for sharing OP. While I don't agree with all of what the DOJ does and other governmental entities of what they do this appears to be a good step which is sorely needed.

originally posted by: intrptr

Geez, only cops need a manual for stuff like this.

Chapter One:

How to treat all people like any other people...

Some need manuals in general for just dealing with people overall.

Some never get it. They go into law enforcement. You don't have to be nice to people if you don't want to.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: Orionx2

OJT

"On the Job training?" huh?

a reply to: Orionx2

Nothing like seeing the other sides perspective. Of course it's a dumb idea. Because most of the people in charge will go huh, what, just like you.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: Orionx2

Nothing like seeing the other sides perspective. Of course it's a dumb idea. Because most of the people in charge will go huh, what, just like you.

What are you talking about?

originally posted by: AreUKiddingMe
I gave it a flag and star for treating people with courtesy. However I believe a biological male should not be allowed to use a women's restroom. It makes it too easy for sexual predators or peeping toms to dress as a woman and then go in a women's restroom and take pics under the stall with their cellphone or harass women sexually. It's already happened in Washington State. There will have to be a third restroom, it looks like, for either/or. In the case of where there's only a men's and women's restroom, biological males should use the men's room and the same applies to biological females using the women's restroom. The protection of the public outweighs the transgenders' rights in my opinion.

The ranking officer on scene should have discretionary powers as to arrest or not. The scenario in the video shows how the officer on scene used common sense and discretion in determining that there was no threat present in that particular case. Just a case of someone feeling uncomfortable and trying to accuse another of a crime where no crime was committed. Not that it would have really mattered in that case as PG county is in MD and MD and DC have protections for Trans folks using the restroom of appropriate identity.

I am familiar with at least one person in that video and I have had lunch with a DC officer who is Trans and has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the two communities, nice lady too.

originally posted by: RainbowPhoenix

originally posted by: AreUKiddingMe
I gave it a flag and star for treating people with courtesy. However I believe a biological male should not be allowed to use a women's restroom. It makes it too easy for sexual predators or peeping toms to dress as a woman and then go in a women's restroom and take pics under the stall with their cellphone or harass women sexually. It's already happened in Washington State. There will have to be a third restroom, it looks like, for either/or. In the case of where there's only a men's and women's restroom, biological males should use the men's room and the same applies to biological females using the women's restroom. The protection of the public outweighs the transgenders' rights in my opinion.

The ranking officer on scene should have discretionary powers as to arrest or not. The scenario in the video shows how the officer on scene used common sense and discretion in determining that there was no threat present in that particular case. Just a case of someone feeling uncomfortable and trying to accuse another of a crime where no crime was committed. Not that it would have really mattered in that case as PG county is in MD and MD and DC have protections for Trans folks using the restroom of appropriate identity.

I am familiar with at least one person in that video and I have had lunch with a DC officer who is Trans and has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the two communities, nice lady too.

This video was fabricated and fake...

originally posted by: rockintitz
a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

I'm not sure what would be different in dealing with a trans person as opposed to anyone else, except for where to house them when in jail or whether they should be searched by a male or female officer.

But why would a traffic stop or other regular police encounter need separate protocol when dealing with a trans person?

First of all shock factor and misunderstandings towards Trans individuals for starters. For example as mentioned in the video LE officers often stereotype Trans women as sex workers or may jump to a conclusion that the individual is a fugitive in disguise. To be honest I think that fixing police relations with the black community is of a higher importance simply because the way blacks are disproportionately treated by cops. I'm not black though so I can not really speak on that other than acknowledging that it is indeed a real thing.

originally posted by: RainbowPhoenix

originally posted by: AreUKiddingMe
I gave it a flag and star for treating people with courtesy. However I believe a biological male should not be allowed to use a women's restroom. It makes it too easy for sexual predators or peeping toms to dress as a woman and then go in a women's restroom and take pics under the stall with their cellphone or harass women sexually. It's already happened in Washington State. There will have to be a third restroom, it looks like, for either/or. In the case of where there's only a men's and women's restroom, biological males should use the men's room and the same applies to biological females using the women's restroom. The protection of the public outweighs the transgenders' rights in my opinion.

The ranking officer on scene should have discretionary powers as to arrest or not. The scenario in the video shows how the officer on scene used common sense and discretion in determining that there was no threat present in that particular case. Just a case of someone feeling uncomfortable and trying to accuse another of a crime where no crime was committed. Not that it would have really mattered in that case as PG county is in MD and MD and DC have protections for Trans folks using the restroom of appropriate identity.

I am familiar with at least one person in that video and I have had lunch with a DC officer who is Trans and has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the two communities, nice lady too.

The female may have quite possibly and rightly so perceived it as a crime. It's an invasion of privacy to many women to have a male stranger allowed into a public women's restroom. A male is a male whether or not he has a dress on. Sorry. I don't care what he identifies as. I personally have a neighbor who from day to day changes whether or not he chooses to identify as a male or female. One day it's makeup and heels and the next day it's a man. The public protection and a woman's right to privacy outweighs any gender identity issues a man may have, in my opinion.

originally posted by: intrptr

originally posted by: dreamingawake
Good for sharing OP. While I don't agree with all of what the DOJ does and other governmental entities of what they do this appears to be a good step which is sorely needed.

originally posted by: intrptr

Geez, only cops need a manual for stuff like this.

Chapter One:

How to treat all people like any other people...

Some need manuals in general for just dealing with people overall.

Some never get it. They go into law enforcement. You don't have to be nice to people if you don't want to.

Oh, I get it. Who is mentioning being nice? Thought we were talking about being inhumane vs being humane. Such as what you mentioned;

No problem. Some cops should be relearning how not to shoot first and ask questions later.

The OP article mentions....

The video itself presents harrowing statistics, too. Parsons points out that one in four trans people claim to have been the victim of an assault because of who they are.

Does that have to do with being nice? Or is a safety concern?

originally posted by: AreUKiddingMe

originally posted by: RainbowPhoenix

originally posted by: AreUKiddingMe
I gave it a flag and star for treating people with courtesy. However I believe a biological male should not be allowed to use a women's restroom. It makes it too easy for sexual predators or peeping toms to dress as a woman and then go in a women's restroom and take pics under the stall with their cellphone or harass women sexually. It's already happened in Washington State. There will have to be a third restroom, it looks like, for either/or. In the case of where there's only a men's and women's restroom, biological males should use the men's room and the same applies to biological females using the women's restroom. The protection of the public outweighs the transgenders' rights in my opinion.

The ranking officer on scene should have discretionary powers as to arrest or not. The scenario in the video shows how the officer on scene used common sense and discretion in determining that there was no threat present in that particular case. Just a case of someone feeling uncomfortable and trying to accuse another of a crime where no crime was committed. Not that it would have really mattered in that case as PG county is in MD and MD and DC have protections for Trans folks using the restroom of appropriate identity.

I am familiar with at least one person in that video and I have had lunch with a DC officer who is Trans and has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the two communities, nice lady too.

The female may have quite possibly and rightly so perceived it as a crime. It's an invasion of privacy to many women to have a male stranger allowed into a public women's restroom. A male is a male whether or not he has a dress on. Sorry. I don't care what he identifies as. I personally have a neighbor who from day to day changes whether or not he chooses to identify as a male or female. One day it's makeup and heels and the next day it's a man. The public protection and a woman's right to privacy outweighs any gender identity issues a man may have, in my opinion.

Well then your neighbor is a Cross dresser of Transvestite not Transsexual and they make me uncomfortable too. That being said though perception is not reality despite the popular and idiotic old saying. Your wandering through the desert dying of thirst when you spot an oasis on the horizon. You muster all of your strength rushing your to the oasis only to find that it was not reality. You perceived something yet it was not reality. I'll be the first to admit that there are a lot of "girls" in our community that do not do our cause justice and quite frankly are scary as sh** looking. Yet I am able to determine a genuine threat when I see one through my own powers of reason and perception. I do understand that not everyone is as attentive, observant or just down right scared of their own shadow.

I don't really know what to tell you when it's all said and done though. I just know that my right to dignity and using the bathroom I identify with is protected where I live and I'm all the happier for it. I also refuse to spend one dollar in any state that would seek to rob me of my dignity and humanity because they are disillusioned with paranoid fear based off of no significant statistical data to justify said fear.

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

First of all shock factor and misunderstandings towards Trans individuals for starters. For example as mentioned in the video LE officers often stereotype Trans women as sex workers or may jump to a conclusion that the individual is a fugitive in disguise. 

But what if that is what is indeed going on? Should LEO's disregard potential crimes so as not to offend?

I'm all for equality, but this sounds like the opposite.

To be honest I think that fixing police relations with the black community is of a higher importance simply because the way blacks are disproportionately treated by cops. I'm not black though so I can not really speak on that other than acknowledging that it is indeed a real thing.

Cops need to work on their relationship with citizens. People are people are people. You can't segregate a part of the population to receive preferential treatment.