NCJ Number
44976
Date Published
1977
Length
23 pages
Annotation
LITERATURE ON LEGAL, SOCIAL, AND OTHER INFLUENCES ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLICE WORK IS REVIEWED, AND THE STATUS OF POLICEWOMEN IS ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN POLICE WORK HAS BEEN LINKED WITH THE STEREOTYPING OF PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND OF FEMALE ROLES. TOGETHER WITH THE PARAMILITARY IMAGE OF POLICE AGENCIES, STEREOTYPED VIEWS HAVE REDUCED THE PROBABILITIES OF WOMEN ENTERING POLICE WORK AND HAVE CONFINED CAREER MOBILITY FOR POLICEWOMEN TO SUCH AREAS AS JUVENILE WORK, METER PATROL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES. THE LAW PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF SEX WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT LEGAL ACTION AFFECTING DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES CONCERNING WOMEN. OTHER IMPORTANT LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDE SEPARATE PROMOTIONAL PROCEDURES AND JOB DEFINITIONS FOR MALES AND FEMALES, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND WEIGHT/HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS, TESTS CONTAINING SEX-SPECIFIC ITEMS, AND THE VETERANS' PREFERENCE SYSTEM. SOCIAL REACTIONS TO THE USE OF WOMEN IN POLICE AGENCIES AND ON PATROL VARY ACCORDING TO POPULATION GROUP, ALTHOUGH STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE PUBLIC GENERALLY IS NOT OPPOSED TO WOMEN IN POLICING. THE GREATEST RESISTANCE TO THE USE OF POLICEWOMEN, PARTICULARLY ON PATROL DUTY, COMES FROM MALE POLICE OFFICERS. IMPROVED PUBLIC IMAGE, LESS VIOLENCE IN POLICE-CITIZEN ENCOUNTERS, OVERALL REDUCTION OF POLICE VIOLENCE, AND BETTER HANDLING OF RAPE AND SEX CRIME VICTIMS ARE AMONG ADVANTAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF FEMALE PATROL OFFICERS IN PILOT PROGRAMS. MAJOR DISADVANTAGES INCLUDE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE MORALE OF MALE OFFICERS AND THE TENDENCY OF MALE OFFICERS TO BE OVERLY PROTECTIVE OF THEIR FEMALE COLLEAGUES. TOPICS FOR FUTURE STUDIES OF WOMEN IN POLICING ARE SUGGESTED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.