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Women Where?

NCJ Number
188692
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 87-91
Author(s)
Deborah Prussel
Date Published
March 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the increasing numbers of female police officers on SWAT teams.
Abstract
Today women occupy 14.3 percent of all sworn law enforcement positions nationwide. Since the early 1980's, women have gradually and in small numbers begun showing up on Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams from California to Maryland. The article describes the efforts and experiences of several of these women as they prepared for SWAT team qualification exams. SWAT positions are not plentiful, and women are not always welcome. Accomplishments do not necessarily bring recognition or advancement for women SWAT team members. They often must fight for every piece of equipment, settling for second-hand goods passed on when men receive new gear, or wearing a men's extra small uniform instead of one specially designed for a woman. The article claims that problems for women SWAT team members seem to come from men in lateral positions and higher up in police management. Additionally, it suggests the need for research into the effect on female officers' careers of family issues, including how this factor may influence the length of time a woman stays on a SWAT team. References