THE MPD HAS CONSIDERABLY EXPANDED THE ROLE OF WOMEN OFFICERS IN THE FORCE. IN 1971, THE NINE WOMEN OFFICERS WERE USED SOLELY IN SUCH SPECIALIZED AREAS AS VICE, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, AND TRAFFIC CONTROL. BY 1975, THE MPD EMPLOYED ALMOST 30 WOMEN OFFICERS WHO PERFORMED DUTIES AND WORKED IN THE SAME AREAS AS MALE OFFICERS. UPON GRADUATION FROM THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PROBATIONARY OFFICERS RECEIVED TRAINING AND EVALUATION WITH A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER. THE 30 WOMEN OFFICERS AND 1 FEMALE SERGEANT WORK IN THE FOLLOWING SECTION OFFICES: HOMICIDE, MISSING PERSONS, CRIMINAL INFORMATION, NARCOTICS AND VICE, SCHOOL RELATIONS, PUBLIC INFORMATION, DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC CONTROL, ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, ONE-MAN AND TWO-MAN PATROL, AND THE THREE-WHEELER UNIT. THE WOMEN OFFICERS WERE AS EFFECTIVE AS THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS, WERE WELL-ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC, AND HAD NO SERIOUS WORK-RELATED INJURIES. IT IS NOTED THAT THE CLASSIFICATION 'POLICEWOMEN' HAS BEEN ELIMINATED AND 'POLICE OFFICER' IS NOW USED FOR BOTH MALES AND FEMALES. CRIME MAKES NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN SEXES, AND NEITHER SHOULD LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ITS EFFORTS TO COMBAT IT. (JAP)