DISTRICT BRIEFING

-- Keith L. Alexander

POLICE

Chief Sets Policy for How Officers Should Deal With Transgender People

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier issued an order yesterday that covers the way her officers will deal with transgender people. The order "sets the highest standards in the nation," according to the DC Trans Coalition, made up of members of the city's transgender community.

Police are to refer to transgender people by the gender they have "expressed or presented" and treat them respectfully, the order says.

When arresting a transgender person, officers should write "AT RISK" on the arrest form to indicate that transgender arrestees should be placed in a separate cell.

-- Allison Klein