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transhttp://calgaryherald.com/officer+educates+police+transsexualism/1819330/story.html
UK officer educates police on transsexualism
By Valerie Berenyi, Calgary Herald
July 23, 2009
CALGARY - Members of the Calgary Police Service attended a workshop on transsexualism Wednesday conducted by a transgendered officer from the UK to learn more about diversity issues.
Const. Louise Worsfold, who transitioned from male to female in 2004 while working as an officer for the Metropolitan Police Service in London, told her story to about 30 members of the CPS.
Const. Lynn MacDonald of the service's diversity resources unit said Worsfold, a firearms officer at Heathrow Airport, contacted her six weeks ago. She was planning a vacation in the Calgary area and offered to do a presentation.
"It was a great opportunity for the Calgary Police Service to learn and grow and figure out the best way to support our members should one of them decide to go through a transition," MacDonald said.
At a press conference after the workshop, MacDonald said Worsfold's presentation included in-depth information for management, human resources and recruitment officers about the issues a transsexual could face while working within a police service. She also explained the medical side of the sex-change process.
MacDonald said she is unaware of any members currently in gender transition. "But it's only a matter of time before it's an issue we'll face, so it's good to be prepared."
Those attending the workshop were "very receptive" she said.
Worsfold, 30, joined the police service in 1999 and said her superiors were "extremely supportive" of her transition from male to female because they wanted to retain trained, experienced officers who represent various aspects of the community.
Worsfold, who changed her first name from Lee to Louise, said sex change was something she "had to do. ... Fundamentally, it's something you're born with. It's not a lifestyle choice. I didn't wake up one morning and say, 'My life would be so much easier as a woman.' It's not. Guys do have it easier for a lot of things."
The surgery was painful. "Male to female involves one surgery. Female to male involves several surgical procedures. One doctor said to me it's a lot easier to remove something, than to add something on."
Most of her colleagues were very positive about the change.
"I said, 'I don't want you to judge me on what I'm doing; I want you to judge me on my ability to be a police officer, to catch crooks and bring people to justice.' What I've done has not affected that."
Worsfold, who plays goalie on a soccer team at the national level( "I'm a glutton for punishment") believes education about transgender issues is key. She speaks to police forces around the UK. This is her first overseas presentation.
Part of MacDonald's job is to educate fellow officers and liaise with the gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual communities. She said the common bond in the transsexual community is a feeling of being born in the wrong body.
Mercedes Allen, a 40-year-old graphic designer from Calgary, has been transitioning from male to female for the past four years and was encouraged by the news of Calgary police holding a workshop on transsexualism.
"I think it's excellent they're doing the training on that. It certainly helps to be treated fairly and with a little bit of understanding," said Allen who blogs about issues in the "trans" community. "I would like to think that the police service is making an attempt to be progressive."
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
UK officer educates police on transsexualism
By Valerie Berenyi, Calgary Herald
July 23, 2009
CALGARY - Members of the Calgary Police Service attended a workshop on transsexualism Wednesday conducted by a transgendered officer from the UK to learn more about diversity issues.
Const. Louise Worsfold, who transitioned from male to female in 2004 while working as an officer for the Metropolitan Police Service in London, told her story to about 30 members of the CPS.
Const. Lynn MacDonald of the service's diversity resources unit said Worsfold, a firearms officer at Heathrow Airport, contacted her six weeks ago. She was planning a vacation in the Calgary area and offered to do a presentation.
"It was a great opportunity for the Calgary Police Service to learn and grow and figure out the best way to support our members should one of them decide to go through a transition," MacDonald said.
At a press conference after the workshop, MacDonald said Worsfold's presentation included in-depth information for management, human resources and recruitment officers about the issues a transsexual could face while working within a police service. She also explained the medical side of the sex-change process.
MacDonald said she is unaware of any members currently in gender transition. "But it's only a matter of time before it's an issue we'll face, so it's good to be prepared."
Those attending the workshop were "very receptive" she said.
Worsfold, 30, joined the police service in 1999 and said her superiors were "extremely supportive" of her transition from male to female because they wanted to retain trained, experienced officers who represent various aspects of the community.
Worsfold, who changed her first name from Lee to Louise, said sex change was something she "had to do. ... Fundamentally, it's something you're born with. It's not a lifestyle choice. I didn't wake up one morning and say, 'My life would be so much easier as a woman.' It's not. Guys do have it easier for a lot of things."
The surgery was painful. "Male to female involves one surgery. Female to male involves several surgical procedures. One doctor said to me it's a lot easier to remove something, than to add something on."
Most of her colleagues were very positive about the change.
"I said, 'I don't want you to judge me on what I'm doing; I want you to judge me on my ability to be a police officer, to catch crooks and bring people to justice.' What I've done has not affected that."
Worsfold, who plays goalie on a soccer team at the national level( "I'm a glutton for punishment") believes education about transgender issues is key. She speaks to police forces around the UK. This is her first overseas presentation.
Part of MacDonald's job is to educate fellow officers and liaise with the gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual communities. She said the common bond in the transsexual community is a feeling of being born in the wrong body.
Mercedes Allen, a 40-year-old graphic designer from Calgary, has been transitioning from male to female for the past four years and was encouraged by the news of Calgary police holding a workshop on transsexualism.
"I think it's excellent they're doing the training on that. It certainly helps to be treated fairly and with a little bit of understanding," said Allen who blogs about issues in the "trans" community. "I would like to think that the police service is making an attempt to be progressive."
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
