London Police Hire First Transsexual Officer

The London Metropolitan Police has recruited its first transsexual officer, but he will not be able to conduct searches because the force could be sued.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

February 19, 2003

1 min to read

The London Metropolitan Police has recruited its first transsexual officer, but he will not be able to conduct searches because the force could be sued.

The 39-year-old recruit was born a woman but underwent a sex change to become a man.

Under the 1984 Police and Criminal Evidence Act, suspects can only be searched by an officer of the same sex. Because the recruit was born a woman, he will be unable to search male suspects, and because he is now a man he will not be able to search female suspects. Failure to adhere to the act could leave the Met open to legal action by suspects.

Senior personnel staff at the Met decided to hire the recruit despite legal issues. It has been agreed that he will not carry out any searches.

A police spokesperson said, "We welcome this opportunity as this is an under-represented group in the Met."

Topics:Special Units Technology

More Technology

Closeup photo of man's hand holding a phone with an app displayed and out of focus police cars in the background

Technology•December 3, 2025

Genetec Launches Cloudrunner Mobile App for Real-Time Vehicle Investigations in the Field

Genetec’s new Cloudrunner Mobile app extends Cloudrunner capabilities to the field, giving law enforcement and security professionals faster access to data and alerts wherever they are.

Learning How to Manage Your Fleet?

Watch this tutorial on how fleet management platforms work. You’ll see how easily you can integrate fleet telematics, dash cameras, and asset management in a single pane of glass and manage your fleet more effectively.

thumbnail from video series From the Show Floor, headline features Semtech.

Technology•by Wayne Parham•October 31, 2025

From the Show Floor: Semtech

Learn about the latest ruggedized routers designed for public safety vehicles as POLICE visits with Greg Hill of Semtech. These routers are equipped with the latest 5G technology.

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Photo of three computer screens displaying software soluitions in a trade show booth.

Technology•October 26, 2025

Genetec Showcases Its Latest Public Safety Innovations at IACP 2025

Genetec demonstrated its Cloudrunner, Citigraf, and Clearance during IACP 2025 to show how they can provide law enforcement with a unified situational awareness to make cities safer.

Analysts reviewing geospatial data on multiple computer screens in a monitoring center

Patrol•October 14, 2025

Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Program to Take Flight

Over the next two years, the Ohio DFR Pilot Program will equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders, and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.

Forensic investigators documenting a crime scene using 3D scanning technology, with Z3D software displayed on a laptop and a FARO 3D scanner on a tripod.

Beyond the Scene: Next-Gen 3D Forensics

Crime scene documentation demands speed, precision and clarity. Join FARO’s forensic experts to explore how the latest 3D scanning innovations are transforming crime scene analysis. Learn how mobile and stationary 3D scanners streamline workflows, reduce human error and deliver courtroom-ready visuals. Whether you're focused on data integrity, operational efficiency or evidence presentation, this session will show you how to capture, analyze and communicate scene data faster and more accurately than ever before.