Tracing the History of Gender Variant People’s Relationship to Law Enforcement
Police-Trans Relations Statistics and Stories
A study done by The Williams Institute collected statistics and stories relating to the queer community's experience with law enforcement in the United States. Although these facts are grim, there is hope that trust could be fostered between these two communities to prevent further damage.
Statistics
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A 2011 study, surveying the largest number of gender variant people to date, found that 22% had been harassed by law enforcement due to bias; 6% reported physical assaulted by police; 46% of respondents reported being uncomfortable seeking police assistance.
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The same study found that the NYPD’S “stop and frisk” practice disproportionately impacted gender-variant people, with frequent examples of cruel and degrading behavior; transgender women were found to be the biggest target for discrimination by the NYPD. ​
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Similarly, it was found that among Latina transgender women in Los Angeles County 66% had been verbally harassed by law enforcement, 21% reported that they had been physically assaulted by law enforcement, and 24% reported that they had been sexually assaulted by law enforcement.
Stories
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In 2002, as a transgender woman in California was arrested, she was thrown to the ground, beaten, pepper-sprayed, and dragged across the pavement. Once in jail, she was raped by a fellow inmate and taunted by staff, insinuating that she enjoyed being a victim of sexual assault.1​
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In 2003, a Native American transgender woman, living in Los Angeles, was raped by two police officers who, during the incident, used gendered and homophobic hate language towards her. They proceeded to slap her across the face, telling her that it is “what she deserved.” 1​
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In 2013, a transgender student at Arizona State University accepted a ride from two undercover police officers who promptly arrested her for “manifesting prostitution.” She was picked up on suspicion of being a sex worker, something the police had stopped her for on four separate occasions, simply for walking down the street and talking with friends.1​
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In 2013, a transgender woman in California was killed when her friend called the police for mental health assistance. Instead of performing a mental health evaluation, she was arrested (as a result of a police clerical error). As they arrested her, six officers piled on top of her, constructed her airways, referred to her as “it,” and exacerbated the mental health crisis she was experiencing. She was restrained until she lost consciousness, dying later that day.1