A new report by The Women’s Rights Network (WRN) has ignited a storm of controversy over a policy endorsed by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) that allows police officers to conduct intimate searches on suspects of the opposite sex if the officer self-identifies with the same “gender” as the individual being searched. The policy, which has already been adopted by numerous police forces, has raised serious concerns about privacy, personal safety, and potential violations of existing legislation.
According to The Women’s Rights Network, the NPCC approved the policy in December 2021, challenging established norms outlined in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). Instead of relying on the protected characteristic of sex, the policy suggests using self-identified “gender” in searches, a move that contradicts the principles set out in PACE.
Under existing law, searches involving the removal of more than outer clothing should be conducted by an officer or staff member of the same sex and out of public view. The new policy introduces a significant departure from this established framework.
The Women’s Rights Network has strongly criticized the policy, calling on the NPCC to withdraw what they consider a flawed and perilous approach. They argue that the use of self-identified “gender” in place of sex jeopardizes the safety and dignity of individuals subjected to intimate searches.
Furthermore, the report claims that the policy paper suggests individuals objecting to searches by an officer of the opposite sex, as well as officers refusing to carry out such searches, may be categorized as engaging in a hate crime or a non-crime hate incident if rooted in “discriminatory views.”
The impact of this policy is already tangible, with several police forces reporting officers who identify as the opposite sex. The report highlights that the West Midlands force, for instance, disclosed that 12 officers were identified as the opposite sex in February 2023.
Out of the 47 police forces consulted in the report, 35 confirmed either the implementation or ongoing process of implementing this policy, intensifying the debate around the controversial approach.
Heather Binning, the founder of WRN, vehemently opposed the policy, asserting, “It is state-sanctioned sexual assault, and it must not be tolerated.”
The backlash against the NPCC-approved policy underscores the deep divide in public opinion surrounding the intersection of gender identity, personal rights, and law enforcement practices. The debate over the balance between individual privacy and safety, as well as the rights of transgender individuals, continues to challenge authorities and society at large.
