NYPD's mistreatment of the trans community

I read an article on the continued mistreatment of trans people by the NYPD (link: http://jezebel.com/5880990/in-nypd-custody-trans-people-get-chained-to-fences-and-poles?popular=true) . It reminded me of another case not too long ago with a trans man who was arrested and mistreated terribly for protesting in the Occupy movement in NY. In this case, Temmie, was arrested for a minor violation (illegally using a discounted metro card, only meant for seniors/disabled). She recognizes her crime but is now suing the NYPD for excessive and unnecessary use of force during her period of detention. She was belittled by many officers and was chained to a fence for 28 hours. She believes this was in punishment for initially refusing to answer an officer’s question of “whether she had a penis or a vagina”.  Since her experience with the NYPD she has suffered PTSD and thoughts of suicide.

I think this is outrageous and even more so because there is clearly a history of transphobia and violence against the trans community from the NYPD. Despite many incidents there have been no formal apologies or compensation for the victims of the NYPD’s abuse. According to this article it seems that the NYPD is willing to have a conversation about changing their procedures on the treatment of trans people, as there is currently no official policy on how to treat arrested or detained trans people. While having a conversation is certainly a step in the right direction, there is still a lot left to be desired. This is not enough. There needs to be more pressure put on the NYPD to accept the accusations and realize that they need to make amends to their victims, they do not realize just how much they affect the people who they abuse.

The article mentions that other prominent cities such as San Fransisco and Portland have been successful in adopting policy changes that make it clear how to treat trans people with respect and dignity upon their arrest/detention. Why then does NY, who considers itself at the forefront of trans rights, have so much to catch up on? In the meantime the article states, “…I bet lots of people in the trans community would feel a lot more hopeful if the department would make a public commitment to treating them like people.” Hope is currently all that the trans community has, hope that lawsuits like Temmie’s will ultimately bring attention to the injustices and abuses perpetrated by the NYPD, and that the NYPD will finally come out in public and make that commitment to the better treatment of all people.