Settlement reached in transgender Watertown woman’s case against police, jail

SYRACUSE, New York (WWNY) - A court settlement over a transgender woman’s treatment during a 2017 arrest will lead to policy changes for the Watertown Police Department and Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

The New York Civil Liberties Union says it has settled a lawsuit for DeAnna LeTray with the two agencies.

The federal suit filed in 2021 says LeTray was discriminated against and sexually abused while in police custody because she is transgender.

According to the NYCLU, the settlement requires the Watertown Police Department to create clear guidelines for the treatment of people, including the use of their names, titles, and pronouns as well as ensuring respectful transport, search, and booking procedures, and require disciplinary action for officers with repeated complaints of discrimination based on gender.

For the county jail, the settlement has similar requirements. It also says people must be housed consistent with their gender identity, with some exceptions, and that medical and mental healthcare be provided without discrimination.

See the NYCLU’s news release here.

The settlement agreement can be read below.

Settlement by 7 News on Scribd