The LGBT Split. 

The initial idea of the NTPA happened when in October 2007 trans police officers and staff were first brought together for a meeting at the police staff college at Bramshill, North Hampshire.  This was organised by DCC Mike Cunningham of Lancashire police.  Mr. Cunningham who is the ACPO lead on LGBT issues announced his decision to split the LGBT portfolio treating Trans as a separate issue.  Those present welcomed this decision as Trans people primary issue is about gender and not their sexuality, which also may happen to be Lesbian, Gay or Bi- Sexual.

 The Birth of the NTPA 

In January 2008 a Positive Action Leadership programme course for Trans Police Officers and Police Staff was held again at Bramshill.  During the week long course the students decided to form a Staff Association for Trans People that were in the UK Police Service.  This association has now become known as the NTPA. 

Subsequent meetings throughout 2008 culminated in the first NTPA AGM in November of that year, which was hosted by West Yorkshire Police at their training facility Bishopgarth, in Wakefield.  About thirty people attended from various different Police Forces around the UK.  The existing Committee was formally elected to take the work of the NTPA forward.  

2009

2009 has been a year of growth for the National Trans Police Association and has seen them visit many regions of the  UK, and interact with both local Trans community groups and Police diversity and LGB&T liaison officers.  Visits to  Scotland's centralised police training college at Tulliallan, where members of all eight forces were met. Hindlip Hall, the Headquarters of West Mercia Constabulary, two NPIA centres at Ryton on Dunsmore and Bramshill, and lastly Greater Manchester Police training college at Sedgley Park. 

The NTPA also took part in many events in 2009 including Scotia Pride, Sparkle 2009, Brighton Pride and Manchester Pride, which all heightened the profile of the Association not only within the service, but also to the greater community and public.  The association was also invited to take part in other events including an LGB&T specific recruitment fair with Strathclyde police, and the Scottish Police College, along with other minority groups.  Our chair was also invited to a 'multi-faith' seminar with the Metropolitian Police Service which was believed to have been a first bringing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people together in a police setting to discuss the problems they face in faith.   

Sparkle 2009 and the 'Trans Inclusive Policing' seminar with Northern Constabulary were two events that the Association was proud to take part in.  Sparkle 2009 was the highlight of the year for the NTPA as this is seen by many as the 'National Transgender Pride'.  The Association took part proudly working alongside officers from both Greater Manchester Police and the GMP Trans Independent Advisory Group, and this association has proved so successful that 2010 will see the NTPA, GMP and GMP IAG return to the event in July 2010.  

The Northern Constabulary 'Trans Inclusive Policing' Seminar took place over two days near Aviemore and saw the NTPA take part alongside the Scottish Transgender Alliance, and members of the transgender community from Northern Scotland.  It was two days set aside discussing what the community would like to see from the police service over the coming years, and likewise the NTPA was able to give an honest reflection of how 'trans' people are seen within the police service.  This event was believed to be the first of it's kind in the world and has now been taken up by other UK forces. 

November 2009 saw the second AGM and conference which took part over the weekend of 27^th � 29^th.  The committee was added to and now sees all ten executive posts now filled.  2010 will see the Association continue to grow both in membership and in stature.  It will see continued working with many groups through associations formed over the past two years, and partnerships formed in ongoing work this year. 

The Association history is just that a history, but it continues to look forward to the future, and continues to give and develop the core aims that are outlined below. 

The Purpose of the NTPA

Support 

The NTPA exists primarily to provide support to serving and retired police officers, police staff and special constables with any gender identity issue including, but not exclusively, trans men, Trans women, people who identity as 'transgender', androgyne or intersex.  Also the NTPA will give support to people who identify as cross dressers.  The NTPA further aims to provide support to all serving and retired police officers, police staff and special constables who are dealing with people with a gender identity issue whether that person is a colleague, family member or a member of the public involved in a police matter.  

Employment

The NTPA also exists to represent the views of its members on matters of policy concerning Trans Police Officers, Police Staff and Special Constables and to assist in and encourage their recruitment, retention and progression within the UK Police Service

Community

The NTPA aspires to speak for the wider Trans Community on Police related matters and to help foster better relations between the UK Police Service and the Trans Community as a whole.