Just Treatment of Transgender People in NYPD Custody

The Petition

Dear Police Commissioner Ray Kelly c/o the New York Police Department,

We, members of New York City’s transgender communities, community organizations, advocates, and allies, ask that you implement changes in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) policies that would improve our safety in interactions with the police. Specifically, we insist that you adopt the “Proposed Policy for the Treatment of Transgender People in NYPD Custody” and the associated changes to the NYPD patrol guide, submitted to the NYPD in April 2009.

Transgender New Yorkers report experiencing verbal harassment, disproportionate arrests for ‘quality of life’ offenses, invasive and unlawful searches for the purpose of determining gender, and housing placement in NYPD custody that could expose them to harassment and violence while in NYPD custody.

To respond to these needs, a group of New York City based community organizations and individuals – including those who have personally come into contact with the NYPD – came together to propose comprehensive changes to the NYPD patrol guide. We drew on our own experiences as well as on the policies of cities that have led the way in addressing interactions between police and transgender communities, including Washington, D.C.; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Toronto, Ontario.

The result of this work is reflected in the Proposed Policy for the Treatment of Transgender People in NYPD Custody that includes:

*NYPD officers will refer to an arrestee with the name and pronouns the arrestee has used to identify him or herself and not require proof of an individual’s gender or challenge an individual’s gender identity.

*NYPD officers will refrain from using slurs or making lewd, derogatory, or harassing remarks based on gender (including gender identity and expression), sex, or sexual orientation.

*NYPD officers will not ask personal questions about gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation or practices, or medical history unless necessary for an investigation.

*NYPD officers will not construe gender identity or expression as evidence that an individual has engaged in prostitution or any other crime.

*Under no circumstances shall NYPD officers frisk or search any person for the purpose of determining that person’s gender or to view or touch the person’s genitals.

*Placement decisions about a transgender arrestee will be based on a determination of where the individual will be safest
.

The NYPD is failing to meet constitutional standards of treatment for transgender people in police custody. Instead, transgender New Yorkers have experienced unjust and inhumane practices that violate their rights. By adopting these policy recommendations, the NYPD can take a necessary step closer to fulfilling its own promise of courtesy, professionalism, and respect for the transgender community and all New Yorkers. We demand your leadership on this issue and the immediate implementation of the Proposed Policy for the Treatment of Transgender People in NYPD Custody.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned.

Sign petition

#
Name: Glo Ross on May 5, 2009

# 2
Name: Jennifer Ramirez on May 5, 2009

# 3
Name: Gabriel Arkles on May 5, 2009

# 4
Name: Gael Guevara on May 5, 2009

# 5
Name: Nathan Metrick on May 5, 2009

# 6
Name: Valentina Simmons on May 5, 2009
All we are asking is for the same respect that would be shown any other person.

# 7
Name: Kathryn Belcher on May 5, 2009

# 8
Name: Dr. Edgar Rivera Colon on May 6, 2009

# 9
Name: Al Davidian on May 6, 2009

# 10
Name: Catherine Gaffney on May 6, 2009

# 11
Name: Ronan Kelly on May 6, 2009

# 12
Name: Victoria Grace on May 7, 2009

# 13
Name: K Applegate on May 7, 2009

# 14
Name: Alyssa &Quot;Jacks&Quot; Overstreet on May 7, 2009

# 15
Name: Adam Edge on May 7, 2009

# 16
Name: John Collis on May 7, 2009

# 17
Name: Catherine Granum on May 7, 2009
This is important for and efficient and fair policing.

# 18
Name: Terell Richardson on May 7, 2009

# 19
Name: Anonymous on May 7, 2009

# 20
Name: Anonymous on May 7, 2009

# 21
Name: Phoebe Cox on May 7, 2009

# 22
Name: Maegan BetEnvia on May 7, 2009

# 23
Name: Aaron Miner on May 7, 2009

# 24
Name: Rae Henaghan on May 7, 2009

# 25
Name: Ben Stock Of Brainpower on May 7, 2009

# 26
Name: Sarah Sykes on May 8, 2009

# 27
Name: L T on May 8, 2009
----------


# 419
Name: Anonymous on Aug 11, 2009

# 420
Name: Adam Viera on Aug 11, 2009

# 421
Name: Kyle Lafferty on Aug 11, 2009

# 422
Name: Catlin Rideout on Aug 11, 2009

# 423
Name: Jennifer Thibodeau on Aug 12, 2009

# 424
Name: Elizabeth Solimine, MPH on Aug 12, 2009

# 425
Name: Jackie Breyer on Aug 12, 2009

# 426
Name: Geraldine Solimine on Aug 12, 2009

# 427
Name: Marianne Cooper on Aug 12, 2009

# 428
Name: Erika MacDonald on Aug 12, 2009

# 429
Name: Cara Herbitter on Aug 12, 2009

# 430
Name: Alison Alpert on Aug 12, 2009

# 431
Name: Sand Chang on Aug 13, 2009

# 432
Name: Jessica Yunker on Aug 13, 2009

# 433
Name: Narelle Ellendon on Aug 13, 2009

# 434
Name: Amanda Harris on Aug 13, 2009

# 435
Name: Tina Santiago on Aug 13, 2009

# 436
Name: Camille A. Abrahams on Aug 13, 2009

# 437
Name: Robert Cohen on Aug 14, 2009

# 438
Name: Elise Schuster on Aug 17, 2009

# 439
Name: Nell Hirschmann-Levy on Aug 23, 2009

# 440
Name: Jennifer Roman on Sep 10, 2009

# 441
Name: Kim Watson on Sep 11, 2009
Comments: I am hoping the NYPD can see this as history in the making to allow us to be as visible as possible . Help us to help them stop the dicrimination to the transgender community. Community Healthcare Network Transgender Program.

# 442
Name: M. Dru Levasseur on Sep 11, 2009

# 443
Name: Joseph M Colucci on Sep 24, 2009

# 444
Name: GaëL Krajzman Johns on Oct 16, 2009

# 445
Name: Sarah Patterson on Nov 8, 2009

# 446
Name: Phillipe Kleefield on Dec 4, 2009

# 447
Name: Darakshan Raja on Dec 20, 2009

# 448
Name: Stephanie Quainoo on Dec 27, 2009

# 449
Name: Jason Li on Jan 17, 2010

# 450
Name: Samantha on Feb 17, 2010

# 451
Name: Anonymous on Feb 26, 2010
Comments:
# 452
Name: Aida Miron on Feb 26, 2010
Comments: I share my view with the undersigned. It is time we are respected as

lawful citizens of New York regardless of our gender.

Name: Lucky S. Michaels on Feb 26, 2010
Comments: MCCNY Homeless Youth Services; Sylvia's Place