News: Transitioning Houston police officer receives Department support

At a news conference Friday, Sgt. Jack Oliver announced he has been receiving medical treatment to undergo sex reassignment surgery. While he said he believes he is the first HPD officer to go through a sex-change transition while working on 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 will address the rest of the officers at his substation on Monday morning during roll call. He said he has 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 neither have I,' Oliver said. Hans Marticiuc, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union, sat next to Oliver at the news conference. He said the department will support the transition and offer any assistance Oliver may need. 'Our department has a policy that we don't discriminate,' said Gabriel Ortiz, HPD public information officer. 'We will do what's best for the employees and what's best for the department.'