Florida police officer James Brinton is in hot water for a reckless driving ticket he wrote to a transgender citizen who identifies as a female.

Fort Lauderdale’s police department may impose disciplinary for a Jan. 28 encounter between Officer Brinton and Shelby Kendall, who was caught drag racing a Chevrolet Camaro. He checked the “male” box on a ticket despite a Florida’s driver’s license stating otherwise.

“If I’ve done everything I need to do for the state of Florida to recognize me as a female, he doesn’t have a right to purposely mis-gender me,” the 48-year-old told the Sun Sentinel Friday. “It was inappropriate and kind of bullying and sends a message to the transgender community.”

A complaint was filed four days later and the case was brought before the Citizens Police Review Board Monday.

An update regarding the board’s decision was not announced by the newspaper, although a letter of reprimand was recommended.

“The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is committed to the equal treatment of all of our neighbors and visitors,” Police Chief Rick Maglione said in a statement. “Furthermore, we endeavor to take appropriate action if there are incidents discovered where it is alleged we veered from that position. I believe the department’s actions concerning the investigation before the Citizens’ Police Review Board clearly illustrates our commitment.”

The report filed against Officer Brinton said he declined to re-write the ticket after the driver protested because the original copy was saved in the system and printed, the newspaper reported.

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