Historically, women have been discriminated against in their desire to join African police forces. Few African police services are now employing women, and those who are employed perform as generalists, working with minors and children, and are not entrusted with actual police power and authority. This is in spite of evidence that policewomen perform as well as policemen in police work assignments. This paper rejects the categorical negation of women in police work as well as the strict adherence to traditions which block the employment of women in Africa. The writer concludes that such practices are archaic and outmoded and not based upon empirical evidence. The increased use of women in police work in more innovative and dynamic fashions is recommended. (Publisher abstract)