New Guidelines On Police Searches

23 May 2025

New guidelines on searches of members of the transgender community gives clarity to officers and should reassure the public that the police are acting with good intent, City of London Police Federation has said.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has issued specific guidance on such searches following the Supreme Court’s judgement in relation to the scope of the Equality Act on sex and gender.

The draft interim guidance, published on 22 May, makes clear that thorough police searches, such as those which expose intimate body parts, should be carried out by police officers and staff of the same biological sex as the detained person.

There may be very limited exceptions considered where someone requests to be searched by an officer of their gender.

The guidance is explicit that any search not conducted in line with biological sex must have the written consent of the detainee, the officer carrying out the search, and the authorising officer.

Mike Reed, Chair of City of London Police Federation, said: “I know some operational colleagues have asked what the judgement would mean for their policing duties, and this goes some way towards forming a clearer picture.

“We will be working with the force to establish changes to SOPs that are needed. This will allow all to know where we stand.

“We are often worried about doing what we think is right and getting into trouble if we gauge it wrong. This should give the guidance for both public and police to be respectful of each other and safe in the knowledge that good intent and adaptability is still available.”

The NPCC’s guidance applies to police searches of members of the transgender community, as well as searches carried out by transgender police officers and staff.

It has been circulated to all forces across England and Wales.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the NPCC, said: “Our aim has been to implement the Supreme Court judgment in a pragmatic and consistent way across policing.

“We understand the depth of feeling there is on these issues, both among transgender communities as well as those who hold gender critical views. Policing remains committed to treating everyone with fairness, dignity and respect.”