A TOP Brazilian police officer has been praised for his bravery after returning to work from a long holiday as a woman.

Daily Mail reports father-of-two Thiago de Costa Teixeira took a three-month holiday at the end of last year to get a sex change in Thailand.

The 'macho' anti-drugs unit chief will return to work as 'Laura' next month.

Miss Teixeira's superiors in the police force and gay rights campaigners have praised her courage, saying it's the first time a Brazilian worker hasn't been forced out of their job following a sex change.

'I’ve always wanted to be a woman. But I was too ashamed to admit it. Eventually I couldn’t hide who I was,' the 33-year-old said.

'At first I was worried about how my police colleagues would react to the news but so far the reception has been great.

'I haven’t received a negative comment from any of the people I work with. In fact, everyone is treating me as if nothing has happened.'

The police officer was previously married to a woman and has two young sons.

Daniel Diniz Adorni, Deputy General Delegate of Goias civil police, said Miss Teixeira's decision was "an act of bravery".

"For us, her case is not an issue. We are more concerned about tackling the corruption, violence and negligent behaviour of some of our police officers," he said.

"Laura has always been a valued and respected member of the corporation and this doesn’t change just because she has undergone surgery. She will continue to be employed in the same position that she held as Thiago."

Brazil suffers from a high level of homophobic violence and abuse, with complaints of violence against gay people more than doubling between 2012 and 2013.

Miss Teixeira said she plans to ask for a transfer from her old job running the police station in Goiana to the police unit that specialises in tackling crime against females.

"I feel that as a woman now I can make a difference investigating and helping transgender victims in particular who suffer abuse and violence because of who they choose to be," she said.



