Chron.com – Anita Hassan
After working as an officer for Houston Police Department for 24 years, Sgt. Bruce Oliver is used to injuries on the job. However, after a police chase about a month ago, Oliver realized that receiving medical help for any wounds would reveal his long-held secret.
So at a new conference Friday, Oliver announced he has been receiving medical treatment to undergo sex reassignment surgery.
“I’ve been wrestling with it (sex reassignment surgery) for seven years,” said Oliver, the 49-year-old deputy day sergeant at the Fondren substation.
While he said he believes he is the first HPD officer to go through a sex-change transition while working at the force, Oliver said he has heard of about 30 cases around the country.
Oliver told his captain about his decision a few weeks ago and spoke with the sergeants and lieutenants at his station on Thursday. He said he as not received negative reactions from officers in the department.
“They haven’t had a chance to figure out how they’re going to react to it and either have I,” Oliver said.