NCJ Number
99999
Date Published
1984
Length
142 pages
Annotation
This report reviews the research literature on women in policing and discusses the use of policewomen in Canadian law enforcement agencies, with particular attention to policewomen's performance and attitudes toward their assignment to patrol duties.
Abstract
Performance evaluation research indicates that female officers can effectively perform general patrol duties, and police supervisors have generally rated policewomen's performance satisfactory. Citizens have also responded positively to the employment of female officers. Despite these findings, rank-and-file male officers tend to doubt that female officers can respond effectively in dangerous situations and adequately perform tasks requiring aggression and strength. One controversial area is the application of police selection standards to women, particularly height requirements. No studies have documented a relationship between height and effective police performance, so U.S. and Canadian courts and commissions have typically ruled that minimum height requirements are illegal. Other topics considered in this report include the problems faced by policewomen because of their minority status in departments, the role of senior administrators in integrating women into their departments, the reassignment of women with years of experience, and attrition rates and sick leave for female officers. The report concludes with the review of a survey of all Canadian police departments serving cities and districts with over 100,000 population, with a focus on these departments' experiences with female police officers. 88-item bibliography.