Biologically male transgender officers at British Transport Police (BTP) will now be allowed to strip search female suspects, a report says. telegraph paper.
According to the guidance produced by BTP and confirmed in the paper: reportedly It stipulates that transgender police officers who identify as women can conduct strip searches on women as long as they have received a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).
The guidance, approved in September, states: “British Transport Police recognizes the status of transgender and non-binary detainees/staff from the moment they permanently identify with that gender, whether or not they have a GRC.”
“This means that even if a person has not legally changed their gender, they must continue to use the correct pronouns and recognize that person's gender. BTP officers/staff , only search for same-sex people based on either birth certificate or GRC.”
Separately, BTP has reportedly decided that staff will be able to wear “the uniform of their chosen gender” and will also be allowed to use the changing rooms and showers of the gender they identify with. There is.
Former Conservative MP Miriam Cates said About the strip search policy: “Are you a man who wants to sexually assault a woman and get away with it? Put on some lipstick and join the British Transport Police!
“There is more evidence that the Gender Recognition Act should be repealed,” she added.
A BTP spokesperson said people subject to strip searches could object to the officers conducting the tests.
“When establishing statutory powers to raid, police officers may only search based on the gender listed on the birth certificate or the gender listed on the gender recognition certificate, whichever is newer. “We can,” the spokesperson said.
“A person being searched may object to a search by any police officer. Another member of the team will conduct the search in his or her place. This will avoid escalating the conflict. It’s actually done regularly for a variety of reasons, including how to relieve it.”
But former police superintendent Kathy Laakman, who is now national police director for the Women's Rights Network, described the policy as “state-sanctioned sexual assault.”
“This is a state-sanctioned sexual assault and police chiefs have lost the will to bring this up. They have failed women. This should never be tolerated. We cannot continue to do that.” she said.
Maya Forstater, CEO of women's rights charity Sex Matters, said: “British Transport Police officers with gender recognition certificates stating their 'acquired gender' as female. “Allowing male public servants to strip search women is a shocking violation of human rights.” States have an absolute duty to protect their citizens from degrading and inhumane treatment.
“Forcing a woman to bend over naked in front of anyone who can see her is certainly degrading to men.”
A similar policy allowing transgender police to search women was scrapped earlier this year after the then Conservative government objected, citing concerns about women's safety. National Police Chiefs Council said In January, it announced a “thorough” review of the policy. In the meantime, local police departments need to reinstate their policies on this issue.
