Berlin politician Berndt Krömer says transgender people may not be 'medically fit' to join city's police
LGBT activists say entry criteria is discriminatory
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An "intact hormonal system" is a requirement for those wanting to join the Berlin police, according to Berndt Krömer, a member of the city’s government responsible for security policy.
The Christian Democratic Union politician said that transgender and intersex people who wish to join the force may be turned away because of the medical treatments they have received in the past.
His statement came in answer to an enquiry by politician Tom Schreiber, Der Tagespiegel reported on Friday, who asked: "Can applicants to the police and fire service be found unfit for service because they have previously undergone sex reassignment surgery?"
In response, Krömer cited "operatively removed testicles" as well as "breast implants or hormone treatment" as potential reasons for rejection, due to the increased risk of injury and health complications.
When assessing whether an applicant is medically fit to serve in the Berlin police, he noted that "potential secondary conditions or the need for further operations have to be taken into account".
Jörg Steinert, regional director of the German Lesbian and Gay Federation, said in a statement released on Friday: "The criteria used to determine fitness for duty by the police and fire service are discriminatory."
"Instead of inter- and trans-gender people pathologizing and to exclude an individual service suitability test should take place. The Berlin Senate should correct their own hiring practices to that effect."
In 2014, the Administrative Court of Berlin ruled against the Berlin police’s decision to reject the application of a police trainee on the grounds that her breast implants were too great a risk in use.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments