POLICE Scotland officers will carry out searches based on biological sex following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court.
In April, the Supreme Court ruled that the words “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, meaning it does not extend to a trans woman with a gender recognition certificate (GRC).
Police Scotland has now issued interim guidance on searches of trans people and by transgender officers following a review.
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said the new guidance was designed to provide clarity around a “complex and important area” of policing.
Police Scotland, the UK's second largest force after the Met, said it must ensure it is acting in line with its duties under the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act and that officers and staff must feel confident that they are conducting searches lawfully.
Guidance from the force states that officers and staff will undertake all searches, whether in custody or as part of a stop and search interaction, which involve the removal of more than a jacket, gloves, headgear, or footwear, on the basis of biological sex.
If an individual whose gender differs from their biological sex is subject to search and asks to be searched by an officer of their gender identity, guidelines state that efforts will be made to ensure an appropriate officer conducts the search “where this is operationally viable”.
The guidelines added that in these circumstances, the search will require the written consent of the authorising officer, the transgender person to be searched, and the officer who will conduct the search.
Police Scotland officers can refuse to search a transgender detainee under the guidance.
Transgender detainees will also be given the option to ask for a separate area search depending on their anatomical presentation and if there are no officers willing to conduct a search in line with the person’s gender identity, the detainee will be supervised until a suitable officer is found.
The guidance added that if a willing officer is not found within a “reasonable time” or the “risk is deemed to be too great”, a search will be carried out by an officer of the same biological sex of the detainee.
Transgender officers will only search in line with their biological sex and can also be exempt from searching.
A transgender officer can search a transgender detainee if they are of the same biological sex, but if they are of different biological sexes, both parties would need to consent to the search.
Detainees can refuse to be searched by a transgender officer, in which case the officer would be swapped out.
Assistant Chief Constable Paton said it is crucial that Police Scotland continues to fulfil its legal duties while ensuring officers and staff feel confident in conducting searches lawfully.
She said: “This is a complex and important area of policing, and searching members of the public is a significant intrusion of their personal liberty and privacy.
“It is critical that as an organisation, Police Scotland continues to fulfil its legal duties as well as ensuring officers and staff feel confident that they are conducting searches lawfully.
“While the guidance will bring clarity to both our colleagues and members of the public, we are acutely aware of the impact and depth of feeling around this issue, both among the transgender community and those who hold gender critical views.
“Our priority continues to be ensuring that in all our interactions we police and make decisions in line with our service values of integrity, fairness, respect, and upholding human rights.”
The force has said the interim guidance will be kept under review as it awaits the publication of revised national guidance.
