Date: Fri, 07 May 1999 13:59:01 -0700 From: Shirley Bushnell Subject: LA Police Dept. pick up Transgedered Persons LA Police Dept. pick up Transgedered Persons For further information contact shirley@earthlink.net On April 20, 1999 the Los Angeles Police Dept. met with Transgendered persons for a transgender sensitivity presentation to the LAPD Community Relations Section (Ann Bozzi LAPD, provided transportation to this meeting). This was the first time that the CRS has ever had a presentation at their squad meeting. Three members from the Transgender Community did a presentation on transgender issues and the Police. The importance of using the right pronoun and how to determine which pronoun to use were discussed. Issues regarding disclosure from both a MTF and FTM perspective were discussed. It was brought to the attention of the Police how it is important to be aware that the anatomical structure of a transgendered person's body may be a very sensitive issue especially if a transgendered person needs to be searched. Also discussed was the new California Hate Crimes law. The police were informed that threatening or assaulting a transgendered person because they are `really a man' or `really a woman' can be considered a hate crime. Lieutenant Booker of the Community Relation Section arranged for the presentation as he considered this an area on which the LAPD needed to be informed. He commented that the presentation was very valuable, and he expressed a desire to work more with the transgender community to further their education on transgender issues. A report of the Sensitivity Training will be made to the LAPD Police Chief.