I am quite happy with the police in my small town in Northern Virginia near DC. They have been taking diversity training and have built up excellent community rapport. Neighborhood associations host evenings where police meet the community and get to know them and their concerns. I see them as a model example of how a progressive police force should develop community relations.
Before I transitioned, I used to be forced by my wife to not appear female at home. I would take makeup and women's clothes in my car and try to find somewhere secluded to park, so I could change without being observed. I tried lots of different locations, none of them really satisfactory. At one point I chose an office park which was deserted on weekends. I would drive all the way in and park under a tree to change. One Sunday I was putting on my makeup when a cop drove up and asked what I was doing there. I said "I'm putting on my makeup, because my wife doesn't want me to do it at home." He took my driver's license and checked it, then handed it back and politely explained that there had been reports of criminal activity in the area, so when he got a report that someone was there when all the businesses in the office park were closed, he had to investigate. It was private property and I was not allowed to trespass. Then he left me alone. He was nice about it and didn't get upset or anything that I was a ->-bleeped-<- queer.
I feel lucky to live here with a diversity-trained, community-responsive police force, and hope more cities will learn from their good example.
