NCJ Number
78308
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1981) Pages: 209-223
Date Published
1981
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article reviews research findings on the performance of female recruits at the Michigan State Police Training Academy during early 1977.
Abstract
The study reported here focuses on the performance of recruits in a number of job-related tasks and on various definitions of the female trooper's role. The findings resulted from data obtained from the 12-week 90th session of the Michigan State Police Training Academy. A total of 64 recruits of black (18.8 percent), white (70.3 percent), and other (10.9 percent) ethnic origin completed the training. Of these 14 were females, with an average age of 26 years; most had a college degree. Data-gathering devices included participant-observation, departmental records, and questionnaires. Evidence accumulated in the project supports the contention that there was no significant difference between male and female recruits on the academic or technical performance measures incorporated in the study. The physical performance measure was deemed unreliable, but results obtained on this measure indicate that female recruits are physically weaker than their male counterparts. The socialization measures demonstrated that male recruits were more willing to accept female troopers in the general and technical roles of police work than they were in the physical role. The peer evaluation form further demonstrated that female troopers are not considered equals to male troopers. Finally, the academy experience has little effect on the attitudes of male and female recruit role perceptions. The article concludes that female officers should meet the same selection criteria as their male counterparts and that job assignments should be delegated equally. Tables, footnotes, and about 25 references are supplied. (Author summary modified)