NCJ Number
192300
Date Published
2002
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines the impact of policewomen on ethics and integrity in policing as well as on the organizational culture of policing.
Abstract
Nifong (1996:1) reports that with more women entering police work "there is an emerging recognition that they bring a distinct style to policing, one that depends more on negotiation than machismo." She describes studies that conclude women rely more on verbal skills and less on physical strength. Policewomen are less confrontational when responding to calls and use physical force only if necessary. Women in policing use defusing skills rather than force to quell violence. On the other hand, the study by Waugh et al. (1998: 298) indicates that "the negative aspects of the police culture appear to have equal impact on males and females." This study found relatively small differences in attitudes between male and female police officers regarding the seriousness of various forms of misconduct and in the willingness of both male and female recruits to report the misconduct of other officers. A study by Lersch (1998: 71, 76) found that although policewomen were less likely to be accused of misconduct, no significant difference was found in the types of complaints filed against male and female officers. 53 references