The study used a stratified sampling procedure to ensure adequate representation of females. Seventy-nine of the 100 male officers and 89 of the 97 female officers surveyed returned the questionnaires. The data analysis examined age, race, sex, educational level, shift, rank, precinct, and length of service to determine the effects of these independent variables on cynicism, which was measured using Niederhoffer's Cynicism Scale. Cynicism was found to vary inversely with rank and preferred assignment (day shift) and in a curvilinear fashion with length of service. Organizational factors were more important determinants of cynicism than were the age, race, sex, precinct, and educational characteristics of the individual officers. Race and sex also influenced the development of cynicism. Female whites were the most cynical and male blacks were the least cynical. Findings indicate that females are the true marginal minority in policing, as they try to join what until recently has been largely an all-male fraternity with a strong subcultural identity and sense of solidarity. Tables, notes, and 42 references.