Sex changes put on police agenda

ICCoventry.ICNetwork.co.uk – By Emma Stone

Police chiefs in Coventry are to get new guidelines on how to deal with officers who are going through a sex change.

West Midlands Police has plans to improve its policy relating to members of staff going through the sex change process and how it treats transsexual officers and civilian staff.

The current guidance used by managers in the force – which includes advice on dealing with the likely press interest, how to refer to individuals after surgery and how their pensions are affected – has been discussed by members of the Police Authority.

Members of the authority – the body that holds the force to account – asked the force to show them its current policy, so it can be discussed as part of the personnel committee’s next meeting.