NCJ Number
102280
Journal
International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1986) Pages: 125-152
Date Published
1986
Length
28 pages
Annotation
By comparing writers who suggest that criminal justice agencies are sexist with data gathered from juvenile officers in a large English police station, this essay contends that sexism becomes a very complicated notion when placed in a police organization context.
Abstract
Interviews with two male and two female police constables assisting the male sergeant in the juvenile liaison office revealed distinct differences in the perceptions and treatment of female versus male juvenile offenders. The officers preferred psychological explanations for girls' behavior and their perceptions of common crimes committed by girls were not always supported by official data. For example, the police erroneously saw girls as predominantly shoplifters and believed violent female offenders were increasing. What appears to be clear sexism, however, becomes less obvious when organizational factors are examined. The women officers exaggerated girls' difficult behavior to create interesting work for themselves involving outside investigations. The administrative and judicial need to present substantial evidence also affected officers' decisions. New approaches to understanding sexism are discussed. Over 50 references.