NCJ Number
210326
Journal
International Journal of Police Science and Management Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2005 Pages: 71-85
Date Published
2005
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined the attitudes of female police officers regarding their experiences as prostitution decoys.
Abstract
Police agencies in metropolitan areas are increasingly turning to the use of reverse prostitution stings to control prostitution. These reverse prostitution stings target male customers through the use of female police officers as decoy prostitutes. While there has been relatively little study on this type of police operation, feminist scholars generally agree that reverse prostitution stings subjugate and degrade female police officers. The current study drew on participant field observations and qualitative interviews with 25 female police officers in Colorado to analyze the perspectives of female officers regarding their role in reverse prostitution stings. In particular, the interviews focused on their experiences as a decoy, the challenges associated with the role and assignment, their personal views on prostitution, and the dynamics of the interactions with johns. While the data suggested that female officers who worked as prostitute decoys often faced “teasing” within the department, most female officers considered the work exciting and much better than typical patrol work. Many thought the experience would help them advance within the department. Future research should examine the effectiveness of reverse prostitution stings in terms of arrest and recidivism rates. Note, references