SA Police welcome first transgender cadet going through the academy and aiming to make the force more inclusive

SA Police is making history and welcomed its first transgender cadet – as the force moves to become more inclusive and diverse.

The South Australian Police Academy has welcomed its first transgender cadet.

A cadet born as a woman who now identifies as a man has already completed several months of training at the academy, SAPOL has confirmed.

Modifications have been made to the men’s toilet at the Fort Largs academy and also at a number of police stations, however the exact number of locations upgraded is unclear.

SAPOL released a statement saying: “South Australia Police is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of any race, religion, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation to apply.

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

“Like many other workplaces, SAPOL is identifying ways to update policies, practices and facilities to be as inclusive as possible.

“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.”

While it is a first for SA, transgender officers have entered police forces in Queensland, NSW and WA, starting from 2016.

A cadet born as a woman, but who now identifies as a man has already completed several months of training at the academy. Photo Naomi Jellicoe

Police Minister Joe Szakacs said on Thursday SAPOL is a reflection of its community.

“What we want is to make sure – and as we have for many years now – is that our police services looks like our community,” he said.

It’s a good thing, a proud thing, for us to be encouraging more people, different people to become police.”

The landmark move by SAPOL comes amid changes which last year saw a former male Army captain’s bid to wear the female dress backed by senior officers.

Captain Jesse Noble of Darwin’s First Combat Signals Regiment came out as non-binary to military superiors, telling the Army: “I’m non-binary and I am going to be opting for the female uniform”.

The captain, 35, a parent of two children, was unsure how the decision would be received by Army top brass but has been gratified to encounter “100 per cent support, from the unit, the brigade commander, the forces commander, everybody all the way up the chain’’.

Captain Noble’s request was given “immediate interim approval’’ and sparked a change in policy with a broader directive issued to general personnel last April that allowed gender fluid, non-binary and intersex people to choose the uniform, grooming standards and accommodation that best reflected their identity.

“I can wear make-up now,” Captain Noble said. “My ears are pierced at work. I have longer hair than most male-presenting people do at work.

“My fingernails are painted. I can choose how I present myself.”

An ADF spokesman said: “Defence is in the process of developing a new policy in relation to supporting transgender, gender-affirming, non-binary and all gender-diverse defence members.”