South Australian Police Welcomes 1st Transgender Cadet

SA Police said it was updating policies, practices and facilities to make its working environment ‘as inclusive as possible.’

Australian police parade down Fitzroy Street during the 15th annual Gay Pride march through the streets of Melbourne in Australia, on Feb. 7, 2010. Scott Barbour/Getty Images

South Australia Police (SAPOL) has welcomed the first transgender cadet in a move to make its police force more “inclusive.”

A female cadet who identifies as a man has completed months of training at the South Australian Police Academy and will soon be ready for deployment, as reported by the Advertiser.

Upon completion of the training program, the cadet, whose identity remains undisclosed, is likely to become the first transgender officer to serve the SA police force.

SAPOL’s training programs usually take between nine and 11 months, depending on the pathway chosen by the police trainees.

To accommodate the specific needs of transgender police officers, the SAPOL has modified the men’s toilet at its academy and numerous police stations.

In a statement obtained by The Epoch Times, the SAPOL reaffirmed its commitment to creating a working place that offered opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

“South Australia Police is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of any race, religion, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation to apply,” the statement read.

The agency also stated that it was in the process of updating policies, practices, and facilities to make its working environment “as inclusive as possible” for staff.

“SAPOL has a number of policies in place to ensure an inclusive work environment, including but not limited to a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy,” the statement continued.

“Some policies and procedures have been updated, and others are being identified to ensure SAPOL provides an inclusive environment for trans and gender diverse people.

“SAPOL is partnering with Pride in Diversity to assist with this.”

Their statement comes after a surge in the number of police officers identifying as “gender neutral” in Victoria last year.

Reports emerged in June 2023 about the allegations of some police officers making false claims about their gender to gain an extra $1,300 (US$850) per year in allowance.

As of June 2023, workforce data revealed that 139 employees within the Victorian police identified as gender-neutral, a significant rise from 32 individuals in the preceding year.

While the above figures represent a minority within the Victorian police workforce of around 22,118 personnel, they signify a notable emerging trend.

Victoria police carried out an investigation into the issue, with seven police officers interviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry as of August 2023.