Pittsburgh Police Bureau Set To Welcome First Transgender Officer
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An officer in training is poised to make history by becoming the first transgender officer in the Pittsburgh Police Bureau.
Sources confirm to KDKA's Marty Griffin that discussions are underway to figure out how to accommodate the officer.
The officer is still in the training phase at the Pittsburgh Police academy.
"You wouldn't want this officer to be a target out there for the general public," says Gary Van Horn with the Delta Foundation.
Van Horn met with police today about the transitioning officer's safety on the streets and conditions with work.
"I want to make sure that if there is a transgender person, that they are treated with respect and dignity, not only in this class, but when they get in the field and start work," Van Horn says.
The Transgender Community of Police and Sheriffs, or TCOP, says there are nearly 100-Police Officers transitioning in departments around the country right now.
The organization say Houston, San Francisco, San Jose, and New York all have police officers in transition.
The organization says Pittsburgh needs to set up standards and procedures immediately.
"No matter what type of background they come from, we welcome them as long as they can be good Pittsburgh Police officers," Mayor Bill Peduto says.
Mayor Peduto calls this a historic moment for the City of Pittsburgh.
"There's times in history when we are able to get past, and move forward. With Pittsburgh Bureau of Police or any private company in downtown we're looking for the best people that can work for us and those that are the most loyal in serving the public," Peduto said.
Mayor Peduto says the city will take whatever steps are necessary to make this process a good one.
A Police Union spokesman says, "we're just looking for good police officers who are qualified, who are prepared to serve the department and the community."
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