A junior cop has caused a stir in the police force after it was revealed they ‘identify as a cat’ outside of work.
The officer, who is believed to be in their late 20s, was based at an Adelaide station earlier this year when colleagues first became aware of their personal preference.
The South Australian cop, who is not being named, enjoys being a ‘furry’ when they are off-duty, reported The Advertiser.
‘Furries’ are a sub-culture of people who identify as animals, often dressing up in costumes as part of what they call their ‘fursonas’.
It is understood that the officer associates as a cat when in furry mode.
A junior cop has caused a stir in the police force after it’s revealed they ‘identify as a cat’ outside of work
Sources revealed that the young officer’s views have caused a stir, but many senior cops and bosses said they were unaware of them.
Meanwhile friends said the officer’s preference did not interfere with their work while SA Police indicated it did not know of the officer in question.
‘(SA Police) aims to ensure our workplace is inclusive and safe for all employees,’ a SAPOL spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Individuals are given the opportunity to disclose how they wish to be identified at any given time.
‘(SA Police) is not aware of anyone who identifies as a ‘furry’.’
According to the website Furscience, furries tend to be teens and young adults but some are in their 70s and 80s.
‘Furries’ are a subculture of people who identify as animals, often dressing up in costumes as part of what they call their ‘fursonas’
Sharon Roberts, an associate professor and expert in the field, equates being in the furry community to being in a fandom like anime or football.
She said the community, which has members from marginalised groups, enjoy bonding with like-minded others.
‘Depending on the study, we find more than 70 per cent of furries identify as LGBTQ+ and more than 25 per cent are gender-identity diverse,’ Ms Roberts told The Conversation.
‘Furries are bullied at almost twice the rates of non-furries, and our forthcoming research indicates that four to 15 per cent are on the autism spectrum.’
Daily Mail Australia also contacted South Australia’s Police Minister Dan Cregan for comment.
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