This fictional scenario is one faced in reality by many police agencies, and police chiefs need to ensure that their organizations are prepared to investigate this type of case and deal with the community concerns and media issues that follow the murder of, or any crime against, a transgender person. Leaders need to be prepared to handle the challenges of how to identify a transgender victim in briefings to the media and how to interview witnesses who may also be transgender.

Does the agency have policies in place that provide guidance on how to interact with transgender individuals? Is the agency capable of providing professional service and assistance or resources to a transgender person who has been victimized? Do the agency leaders and officers know the local, state, and federal laws that protect transgender people in their community? These are all questions that law enforcement organizations need to consider.