WOMEN AS PEACE OFFICERS AS VIEWED BY THEIR MALE AND FEMALE COUNTERPARTS IN THREE DIFFERENT POLICE DEPARTMENTS

• NCJ Number: 46743
• Author(s): M VEGA; I J SILVERMAN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY, TUCSON, ARIZONA, NOVEMBER 4-7, 1976

Annotation

ATTITUDES CONCERNING WOMEN IN POLICING ARE EXAMINED IN A SURVEY OF 1,350 OFFICERS (53 FEMALE, 1,297 MALE) IN 2 METROPOLITAN POLICE AGENCIES AND 1 SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN THE TAMPA, FLA., AREA.

Abstract

THERE WERE 826 RESPONSES TO THE SURVEY. MALE OFFICERS GENERALLY HOLD LESS THAN FAVORABLE ATTITUDES ABOUT FEMALES IN POLICING, CITING FEMALES' LACK OF CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS NEEDED TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY AS PATROL OFFICERS. MALE OFFICERS TEND TO FEEL THAT FEMALES GENERALLY ARE NOT PHYSICALLY STRONG ENOUGH OR ASSERTIVE ENOUGH TO HANDLE CROWD CONTROL, DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES, AND DEALINGS WITH VIOLENT FEMALES, DRUNKS, AND FELONS. MALE OFFICERS EXPRESS A PREFERENCE FOR MALE BACKUPS IN A VARIETY OF PATROL SITUATIONS. FEMALE OFFICERS HOLD MUCH MORE FAVORABLE ATTITUDES ABOUT FEMALES IN POLICING BUT ALSO TEND TO FEEL THAT FEMALES ARE LESS QUALIFIED THAN MALES TO DEAL WITH VIOLENCE. THE VARIABLE HAVING GREATEST IMPACT ON ATTITUDES IS COLLEGE ATTENDANCE. MALE OFFICERS WITH COLLEGE BACKGROUNDS EXPRESS MORE FAVORABLE ATTITUDES TOWARD FEMALES AS PATROL OFFICERS. YOUNGER MALE OFFICERS HOLD SLIGHTLY MORE FAVORABLE VIEWS TOWARD FEMALES IN POLICING. WORKING EXPERIENCE WITH A FEMALE OFFICER HAS A POLARIZING EFFECT ON THE ATTITUDES OF MALES. MALE OFFICERS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH FEMALE OFFICERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A DEFINITE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT FEMALE OFFICERS. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)