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WOMEN POLICE - A SURVEY OF EDUCATION, ATTITUDES, PROBLEMS

NCJ Number
59019
Journal
JOURNAL OF STUDIES IN TECHNICAL CAREERS Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 220-227
Author(s)
C A MARTIN
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A REPORTED SURVEY OF 554 POLICEWOMEN REVEALS THAT WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN TRAINING METHODS AS WELL AS IN DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES AND ATTITUDES.
Abstract
QUESTIONNAIRES RETURNED FROM 320 POLICE DEPARTMENTS INDICATE THAT WOMEN POLICE PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN CRIME PREVENTION. THEY HELP TO REHABILITATE YOUTHFUL AND FEMALE OFFENDERS, THEY APPREHEND SHOPLIFTERS AND PROSTITUTES, AND THEY ARE USED AS DECOYS IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. WOMEN OFFICERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO MANY DEPARTMENTS, AND MAY BE ASSIGNED TO PATROL AND INVESTIGATIVE WORK. HOWEVER, WOMEN OFFICERS HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN THE RECOGNITION AND ENCOURAGEMENT WHICH THEY DESERVE. ONLY 2 PERCENT OF THE NATION'S SWORN OFFICERS ARE WOMEN, DESPITE INDICATIONS OF THE ADVANTAGES OF WOMEN IN MANY ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK. WOMEN HAVE A NOTABLE ABILITY TO ELICIT INFORMATION FROM CRIME VICTIMS, ESPECIALLY IN SEX OR JUVENILE CASES. WOMEN PAIRED WITH MEN IN SURVEILLANCE TEAMS ARE OFTEN DISMISSED BY SUSPECTS AS BEING NORMAL PASSERSBY. AN ADDITIONAL STRENGTH THAT WOMEN OFFICERS FEEL THEY POSSESS IS THEIR ABILITY TO PREVENT VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS WITH CRIMINALS. MANY OF THE WOMEN SURVEYED FELT THAT PEOPLE LIKELY TO ACT VIOLENTLY WITH MALE OFFICERS TEND TO RESPOND PEACEFULLY TO FEMALE POLICE. THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY HAD ENCOUNTERED SIGNIFICANT HOSTILITY FROM MALE COLLEAGUES AND FROM OTHER WOMEN ON THE FORCE. CHIEF AMONG THE AREAS IN WHICH THEY DETECTED DISCRIMINATION ARE EDUCATION AND TRAINING. WOMEN ARE FREQUENTLY NOT GIVEN EQUIVALENT TRAINING IN SELF-DEFENSE OR ADMINISTRATION. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE PROVIDING MORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, ESPECIALLY IN SUPERVISORY AREAS. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)

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