Friday 20th July 2001

Police force unveils transsexual sergeant

A police force has become the first in the country to reveal the identity of a transsexual officer.

Sergeant Nicola Lamb of North Yorkshire Police, formerly known as Chris, has faced the national media.

Colleagues were told a few days ago he would be turning up to work as a woman.

The 49-year-old, in a shirt and a knee-length skirt, smiled throughout the press conference but refused to answer questions.

Miss Lamb sat alongside North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable David Kenworthy at the force’s headquarters in Newby Wiske.

Kathy Anderson, North Yorkshire Police’s diversity advisor, said Miss Lamb has the medical condition gender dysphoria which affects one in 10,000 men in the country.

North Yorkshire Police employs another transsexual and Essex Police employs two, said Ms Anderson.

Mr Kenworthy said: “We have made tremendous changes in the way that we view diversity within the force.

“We celebrate diversity in North Yorkshire Police. We are happy to employ people who will be good police officers and support staff.”

Story filed: 16:00 Friday 20th July 2001

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