THE ARTICLE -- AN OVERVIEW -- DRAWS ON QUOTES FROM FEMALE OFFICERS IN CITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ON STUDIES OF FEMALE POLICE OFFICERS. REASONS FOR CHOOSING POLICE WORK ARE CITED. A 'TYPICAL DAY' IN THE LIFE OF A FEMALE PATROL OFFICER IN A CITY IS DESCRIBED. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, JOB PERFORMANCE, SALARIES, PENSIONS, HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS, THE TIME DEMANDS OF THE JOB, AND STRAINS ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT WOMEN SCORE AT LEAST AS WELL AS MEN ON ENTRANCE TESTS BUT TEND TO DO POORLY ON WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS FOR PROMOTION. EXAMPLES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO HIGH RANKS IN URBAN POLICE FORCES ARE CITED. (LKM)