NCJ Number
137254
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 489-504
Date Published
1991
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The impact of affirmative action on the hiring and promotion of women in policing was studied by means of a survey of municipal police agencies serving populations of more than 50,000.
Abstract
Questionnaires were mailed to 446 agencies in 1986, and a similar survey was conducted by the Police Foundation in 1978. The response rates were 72 and 74 percent, respectively. Results revealed that women still make up less than 10 percent of all police officers. Nevertheless, multivariate analyses show that both court-ordered and voluntary affirmative action policies have had a statistically significant impact on the hiring, but not the promotion, of female officers. In addition, case study data from five agencies show that affirmative action policies have widened women's opportunities to receive specialized assignments. Findings suggest the importance of continuing affirmative action policies despite recent legal setbacks. Tables, footnotes, list of cases cited, and 29 references (Author abstract modified)