A cop man became a woman after his annual leave

A top Brazilian police officer who 'exuded testosterone' has shocked colleagues by taking a long holiday, only to return to active duty as a woman. Thiago de Costa Teixeira, 33, served in an anti-drugs unit and is currently in charge of a division in the city of Goiana. He took a three-month holiday at the end of last year in order to get a sex change in Thailand, and will return to work as Laura next month.

Her 'bravery' has been hailed by superiors in the police force, and LGBT campaigners have said that it is a first for a Brazilian worker not to be forced out of their job after having a sex change.The police officer was previously married to a woman and has two young sons.Along with the sex change operation Miss Teixeira also had facial reconstruction surgery to create a softer female jawline and nose.

Miss Teixeira, who has applied to have a gender and first name changed legally, said: 'I’ve always wanted to be a woman. But I was too ashamed to admit it. Eventually I couldn’t hide who I was.'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, she told Brazilian newspaper O Popular.

Brazil suffers from a high level of homophobic violence and abuse. According to government statistics complaints of violence against gay people more than doubled between 2012 and 2013.

 

Miss Teixeira has already indicated that he plans to ask for a transfer from his 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.

Driving Safety Tips In Snowy Conditions

A lot of tips for driving in snowy weather but the best advice is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. Don't drive until the snow removed and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

 

But what if you must drive in snowy conditions, so in this situation make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions.

Watch the following video and go ahead to read the tips for driving in such bad weather.

Driving safely on Snowy roads

1. Drive slower than usual and leave a good space at least three times than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake slowly to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services