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PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS ASKING ME WHAT I'M TRYING TO PROVE

NCJ Number
65077
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 18-25
Author(s)
C DREIFUS
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
REACTIONS OF MALE POLICE OFFICERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO FEMALE PATROL OFFICERS ARE EXAMINED; AN EXAMPLES OF A SUCESSFUL POLICEWOMAN IS NARRATED.
Abstract
BEFORE 1970, MOST AMERICAN POLICEWOMEN PERFORMED TRADITIONAL TASKS, WORKING WITH FEMALE OFFENDERS AND JUVENILES. IN THE EARLY 1970'S, CONGRESS PASSED A SERIES OF LAW PROHIBITING SEX DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT BY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING POLICE DEPARTMENTS. WOMEN WERE HIRED IN SMALL NUMBERS AS FULL PATROL OFFICERS IN NEARLY EVERY MAJOR CITY. HOWEVER, THE IDEA OF WOMEN ON PATROL WAS RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CIRCLES. BECAUSE IT INVOLVES STRENGTH, ACTION ACTION, DANGER, AND MALE FELLOWSHIP, POLICING IS SEEN BY MANY AS STRICTLY A MASCULINE PURSUIT. WOMEN, IT IS ARGUED, ARE LESS POWERFUL, LESS STRONG, AND LESS WELL-TRAINED IN THE USE OF FORCE. THUS, FOR POLICE WOMEN, GOING OUT ON PATROL EVERY DAY MEANS DOING BATTLE NOT ONLY AGAINST CRIME, BUT ALSO AGAINST STEREOTYPED IMAGES THAT MANY MEN AND WOMEN HAVE ABOUT THEM. BY RIDING IN SQUAD CARS, CARRYING GUNS, EARNING $20,000 A YEAR, AND ARRESTING PEOPLE, POLICEWOMEN ARE CHALLENGING DEEP CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS REGARDING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WOMAN. THE SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE OF ONE POLICEWOMAN IN ROCHESTER, N.Y., IS DETAILED. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)

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