In the spring of 1995, Hoboken motorcycle police officer John Aiello told his superiors that when he returned from his leave, it would be as a woman named Janet.
In the spring of 1995, Hoboken motorcycle police officer John Aiello told his superiors that when he returned from his leave, it would be as a woman named Janet.
Rumors of the situation began circulating around the mile-square city, but police officials refused to confirm them for the press. Finally, in July of 1995, the New York Post landed an interview with Aiello, then slapped the officer's photo on their cover with the headline, "Sex-op cop fights for job."
The media promptly descended on the mile-square city, and a media frenzy ensued, with a New York radio DJ calling Aiello "one ugly woman."
Meanwhile, Aiello continued taking hormone pills, and the police had to navigate procedures and policies as seemingly routine as whether to allow Janet/John to use the women's restroom at work.
But after the hubbub died down, Aiello retired and left Hudson County forever, settling in New York City, where she lives today.
Aiello declined to give follow-up interviews to the press when contacted in recent years, even after completing her sex-change surgery. She says she hasn't set foot in Hoboken in 13 years.
But last week, Aiello consented to an interview. It came in the wake of her speaking out publicly about recent national news about the Hoboken Police Department.
Continue Reading This Story
Mail to a friendCOMMENTS
- There Are No Comments Yet
