The Department of Justice Community Relations Service released a new roll-call training video, “Law Enforcement and the Transgender Community,” to provide officers with respectful, relevant and informed approaches for engaging transgender individuals. It features scenarios of three of the most common ways that law enforcement interact with members of the transgender community: traffic stops, hate crime assault reports and public restroom calls.

Judy and Dennis Shepard, who continue to work around the country to educate law enforcement on the importance of hate crimes legislation and reporting, said:

“What our nation’s law enforcement does is so vital in stopping hate and violence from affecting the lives of LGBTQ+ Americans. This training and education is critical in ensuring transgender people are granted the respect and safety they deserve. We need to do better to build trust in our judicial system so hate crimes stop going unreported; so transgender Americans can be heard, cared for and protected from the violence that threatens them. It’s up to all of us to stop this, and it starts with education.”

The Foundation strongly supports the DOJ-CRS’ steps to educate officers with this video. Building and maintaining trust between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community is crucial in preventing hate crimes. By ensuring officers know the correct and respectful way to interact with our community, we can strengthen community relationships and partnerships to report, prosecute and ultimately prevent violence against transgender people.

Watch the full training video below: