HOUSTON A Houston police sergeant who is transitioning from male to female has voluntarily transferred to the city’s dispatch center until the gender change is complete.
In June, Sgt. Jack Oliver went public that he has begun medical treatment to have his gender reassigned and become Julia Oliver.
The patrol sergeant has been receiving hormones for several months now and has told officers she would like to be called Julia at work.
Before undergoing gender corrective surgery, Oliver will have to live as a woman 24 hours a day for an entire year. Oliver’s new job is now allowing the officer a chance to comply.
“It was mutually negotiated, and we are happy with the outcome,” Phyllis R. Frye, Oliver’s lawyer, wrote in response to e-mailed questions.
Frye emphasized that Oliver had voluntarily transferred to the dispatch center effective Tuesday to supervise dispatchers until the gender transition is complete.
“She remains employed and was received very well and courteously in her new position,” said Frye, who also is a transgender woman. “She is being treated well. She is working and presenting fully and full-time as a woman with a new police ID that has her woman’s photo.”
Houston police spokesman Sgt. Nate McDuell, said the move was voluntary.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, August 11, 2006.