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| Lieutenant Stephan Thorne. Photo: Rick Gerharter |
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A transgender man who's been with the San Francisco Police Department for more than two decades was recently promoted to lieutenant.
The promotion from sergeant makes Stephan Thorne, 54, the highest-ranking out transgender law enforcement official in the country, according to San Francisco Police Commission President Theresa Sparks, who is also transgender. Thorne is one of the top-ranked LGBT officers in the SFPD.
Thorne, who's been a police officer for 28 years - 24 of them in San Francisco - said he's honored and excited about the promotion not just for himself, but also for others.
"This is a really significant step, and a really validating experience personally for me, but also for all other transgender people," he said.
Sparks said she thinks Thorne's promotion from sergeant is well deserved.
"What's really gratifying is Stephan Thorne was promoted in spite of being transgender, not because he's transgender ... he was promoted on merit as opposed to anything else."
Sparks said Thorne is "a gentleman" and "really an excellent role model for our community." She said there are also two transgender patrol officers on the force.
Thorne, who transitioned in 1994 amid quite a bit of publicity, said he identifies as queer but is in a long-term relationship with a woman, Michiko Bailey. The two have five children between them from previous relationships, and four grandchildren.
Thorne doesn't yet know where he'll be stationed. First, he has to go through two weeks of training. Police lieutenants typically manage other personnel.
"I'm proud on behalf of my community, and also acutely aware of the shoulders I'm standing upon of all the people that have come before me and done such hard and incredible work to move forward with equal rights for all of us," Thorne said.
Openly gay Supervisor Bevan Dufty said he's worked with Thorne over many years.
"I think that he embodies the professionalism and commitment to public service that we want to see in the SFPD leadership," Dufty said.
Dufty said he's heard from many members of the police department about Thorne's promotion.
"People really regard him as eminently qualified," Dufty added.
Another promotion
In other promotions news, the Castro needs a new beat officer. Out officer Lisa Frazer has been promoted to the rank of sergeant and is being transferred out of Mission Station, which oversees the Castro and Mission districts. Frazer held her previous position for 10 years.
"I not only think of the merchants and residents as my community; I also consider you my family," Frazer stated in the October newsletter of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro. "The relationships and friendships I have made throughout these years have meant so much to me. I also believe the relationship SFPD has with the Castro community is a model of 'community policing.'"
Frazer wrote that she didn't know the details of her next assignment, but that she could go to the bureau of inspectors or be detailed to one of 10 district stations.
Steve Adams, president of the merchants group, announced last week at the business group's October meeting that it would pay the $300 cost of buying Frazer's sergeant star. Normally, friends of the officer purchase the new badge, but due to her contributions over the years to the gay neighborhood, Adams decided it would be a fitting honor for Frazer.
When asked about Frazer, San Francisco Patrol Special Police Officer Jane Warner, an out lesbian whose patrol area includes the Castro, wrote in a statement, "When I think back on all the many incidents we were involved in together, the hourlong phone calls about what was going on in the Castro and reports we shared, throughout the many Halloweens, street fairs and special events, I could always count on Lisa being there. Lisa gave 110 percent in all that she did and especially loved the community that she served."
Captain Stephen Tacchini, the head of the Mission Station, called Frazer's work "outstanding" and said that "she certainly leaves a void that's going to be tough to fill."
Tacchini said a replacement would be chosen within days, and that he hopes to eventually assign a second officer to the beat.
"Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. "
Napoleon Bonaparte
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