The Praxis and Politics of Policing: Problems Facing Transgender People

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the employment status of transgender people in the police service in England and Wales (UK), making comparisons with Australia. It focuses on the relationship between the police services' approach to gender diversity and equal opportunities. The issue of gender diversity in policing is located in a theoretical framework, which challenges the usefulness of the concept of gender difference. Gender difference, particularly biological difference is primarily cited as the reason why transgender police officers cannot conduct legal searches, thus effectively barring them from employment in the police service. The article concludes with an overview of action that can be taken to ensure that gender diversity and the employment of transgender people in policing becomes a possibility