Atlanta Police adopt new transgender interaction policies

ATLANTA — Police Chief George Turner has signed new policies aimed at establishing Atlanta Police Department procedures for interactions with transgender, intersex and gender non-conforming individuals.

“This important policy is a formal recognition that this community will be entitled to the same level of respect, courtesy and professionalism extended to all citizens with whom our officers interact,” Turner said in a news release. “We live in a diverse, major metropolitan city and our policies must reflect the need to embrace, and work cooperatively with, every citizen we serve within that broad community.”

Signing of the new policy by Chief Turner comes as the Atlanta Police Department is preparing to participate in the city’s annual Atlanta Pride celebration. APD historically has a contingent of officers participating in the celebrations, most visibly by marching in the parade through the streets of Midtown.

This year, officers will be joined by employees from a cross-section of other city agencies.