Philly PD issues new directive regarding transfolk

[TessaMarie]

I just heard about this today & wanted to pass the news along (apologies if it has been posted already & I missed it).

The Philadelphia Police Department has issued a new directive on how it wishes the city's Police Officers to interact with the transgender community.  Directive 152 was sent to all city Police Districts on 20/Dec/2013.  It appears to be included in the material to be used for the Police Officers' next training session.

Much of the new is similar to existing policy.  The main changes seem to be:
[1]  Police Officers are to use the transgender person's preferred gender when referring to them, especially when communicating with the media.
[2]  Transgender persons are to be transported and held seperately from other prisoners whenever possible.

Here is a link to the Philadelphia Inquirer article that was brought to my attention this morning:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140107_Philly_cops_to_have_new_policy_for_interactions_with_transgender_community.html

It is nice to get some good news

Bye for now,

Tessa

[Lavender]

Hm, well that nice to hear! The second part could be a bit of a hassle though, then again there isn't too many trans-offenders at a given time I don't think.

[ThePhoenix]

Alas, point #2 is a pretty common practice, and a big problem.  It's also known as solitary confinement.  It is pretty severe punishment that can often result in some pretty serious psychological trauma and, in some legal sources, has even been characterized as a form of torture.  In the U.S., it is generally reserved for use as a disciplinary measure against prisoners for severe infractions . . . And a routine practice for handling trans* people.  So I would not consider it to be a bit of good news.  It's actually a practice that many of us in the activist community are trying to do away with. 

[Lavender]

Oh, I thought it was all trans offenders in the same place. That...is pretty bad I suppose ><

[TessaMarie]

Alas, point #2 is a pretty common practice, and a big problem.  It's also known as solitary confinement.  It is pretty severe punishment that can often result in some pretty serious psychological trauma and, in some legal sources, has even been characterized as a form of torture.  In the U.S., it is generally reserved for use as a disciplinary measure against prisoners for severe infractions . . . And a routine practice for handling trans* people.  So I would not consider it to be a bit of good news.  It's actually a practice that many of us in the activist community are trying to do away with. 

Oh, I thought it was all trans offenders in the same place. That...is pretty bad I suppose ><

I was under the same impression as Lavender.  I will see if I can get to read a copy of the directive for clarification.

[E-Brennan]

. . . there isn't too many trans-offenders at a given time I don't think.

Lavender, you haven't been out on the town with me, honey!   

[MugwortPsychonaut]

Hm, well that nice to hear! The second part could be a bit of a hassle though, then again there isn't too many trans-offenders at a given time I don't think.

I'm usually up to no good!