NCJ Number
181666
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: December 1999 Pages: 252-266
Date Published
December 1999
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article reports a study of the reasons for joining and beliefs about the police and police work among Slovenian female police rookies.
Abstract
Fifty-five female police trainees participated in a survey at the end of their basic police training. It was hypothesized that their beliefs about police and police work were the result of their experience during training, their level of cynicism, support, and encouragement from relatives and friends, as well as their femininity, self-esteem and doubt about people’s trustworthiness. The study confirmed the majority of the hypotheses. Results were compared with results from a sample of 22 male police trainees. The comparison revealed different dynamics of male and female beliefs about police and police work, as well as some differences in reasons for joining the police. While femininity, quality of training experience, and cynicism regarding public opinion of the police were the dominant influences upon female trainees’ beliefs, male trainees were influenced more by their cynicism toward decision makers and toward the legal system. The article discusses the results in terms of their practical value for police recruitment and training. Tables, figures, references