NCJ Number
104160
Date Published
1986
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The roles played by women in the workplace are explored to provide a perspective on the difficulties of integrating women into the traditionally masculine field of law enforcement.
Abstract
Women initially entered law enforcement in 1888 as matrons in women's prisons and continued to function in very specialized roles, such as clerks, during the first half of the 20th century. It was not until the enactment of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that women began to perform on a more equal basis within police departments. Because of sexist stereotyping and the particularly macho police subculture, integrating women into law enforcement has been difficult. Many male officers are threatened by having to share their authority with women. The policewoman's behavior may be more closely scrutinized, and influenced by males' sex-role expectations. In addition, women officers face problems involving the constant clash between their work and personal life. The chief and his supervisors play a major role in planning for the success of woman officers. Selection and training techniques are a major influence on the attitudes and approaches of all officers, male or female. In addition, women must take responsibility for their own success by developing new skills and more assertive attitudes. By introducing women into positions once held exclusively by men, police departments are being forced to reevaluate their traditional policies. 27 references.