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Are Males Suited to Police Patrol Work?

NCJ Number
76229
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1981) Pages: 41-44
Author(s)
K vanWormer
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The relative advantages and disadvantages of using policemen versus policewomen in patrol work are assessed.
Abstract
Males have long been accepted in the role of police officers, but females are occupationally on the defensive. Advantages of using men on patrol are their superior physical strength, ability to handle night work, aggressiveness in the line of duty, and previous job experience. In contrast, women must adjust to rotating shifts and long hours, require assertiveness training, and rarely have background experience. There are, however, disadvantages to using men on patrol. Male offenders are more likely than female offenders to generate complaints or provoke violence. Men generally do not meet the public as well as women and are more likely than women to become involved in unbecoming conduct. Men are also more likely than women to resort to physical brutality. Male officers are reluctant to accept females because they do not want to share their power. Male officers overprotect female officers, then complain that they are a handicap. Educational levels of male officers are usually lower than those of female officers; women officers tend to belong to a higher social class and to be better at writing reports than males. Males' skills at handling domestic violence and at questioning rape victims do not equal the skills of female officers. The shortcomings of male officers could possibly be overcome by special training and special selection. The female influence in police work is expected to modify the machismo aura of the police department, to encourage male officers to clean up their appearance and vocabulary, and to generate enthusiasm and high performance standards. Positioning of females in leadership jobs as well as on patrol duty would do much to alleviate the overmasculinized police image that currently exists. About 20 references are furnished.