Police Psychological Services Section

Evaluation of Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Officers: Medical and Psychological Considerations

Location: C144, KBHCC

Michael Bricker, Ph.D.

Managing Partner
Psychological Dimensions
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Fabrice Czarnecki, MD

Chief Medical Officer
Transportation Security Administration
Springfield, Virginia, United States
Mariya Dvoskina, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist
Nicoletti-Flater Associates, United States
JC

Julie Callahan

Founder/Executive Director
TCOPS International (Transgender Community of Police & Sheriffs), United States

In the U.S., medical providers often receive inadequate education and training, resulting in culturally insensitive care of transgender/gender diverse (TGD) officers. Despite an alarming need for services, many TGD adults describe negative experiences with health care. Also, stress for TGD officers can often result from a hostile, [trans]phobic culture, which often translates into harassment, maltreatment, discrimination, and victimization. Stressors may be distal/external (abuse, trauma, discrimination), anticipatory (fear of going to work or school), and proximal/internalized (depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem), which ultimately affects physical and mental health outcomes. Thus, interpersonal, environmental and systemic factors must be examined in properly assessing TGD officers.