I worked as a patrol officer for about (8) years, working in the youth services detail and dealing with street gangs and in a community policing project.
I have also worked as a detective for about (14) years. I have been in several different assignments to include the sexual assault unit, child exploitation detail, narcotics, sexual predator task-force, burglary detail and several special investigations dealing with organized crime, public corruption, and serial rape cases. I work as a burglary detective currently.
Police work has been an exciting career for me. I have had opportunities which I would not have had, doing any other kind of work. If you can't tell, I am somewhat of a cheerleader for my agency and this job.
I have four children,two step-children and an adopted daughter, all whom I love very much. They mean the world to me. As a parent, I have learned the meaning of family; an endearing quality that I both respect and promote. We have no greater resource than our children. What we do with them, how we raise them and guide them, will shape our world.
With all of that being said, I have been dealing with other issues in my personal life, which have been a struggle for me.
About (5) years ago I disclosed that I am transsexual. This revelation and the aftermath of my "transition" cost me the love of my spouse and best friend. The other costs, were financially devestating, yet more bearable. The condition is called Gender Identity Disorder. I hid this condition from my family, my friends and my co-workers, for the majority of my life. I came to a point where I was overwhelmed with the disorder and came to the realization that I needed to be true to myself as well as others.
I "transitioned" into life as a woman over (2) years ago sand have continued working as a police officer during that time. It was a difficult, yet liberating expereince. I lost so much yet have truely gained insight about the world that I would never would have expereinced.
Today, I am happy with myself. When I look in the mirror, I see the person that I have always felt myself to be.
Throughout my "transition" I have been given support by a group of people who mean a lot to me. Initially this group was informal and un-named.
As a result of this positive experience I formed the Transgender Community of Police & Sheriffs or "TCOPS". This is an internet based support group found on Yahoo groups. We also have a website with the same name.
The members of TCOPS are some of the finest people that I have had the pleasure to meet. This small segment of the law enforcement community serve quietly, yet with honor and pride. They serve their communities daily; some are known and others are not. They are in service non-the-less and I am proud of them.