NCJ Number
199983
Journal
Women & Criminal Justice Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 1-13
Date Published
2002
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article outlines challenges that face women in law enforcement and offers advice to women officers.
Abstract
The author begins by discussing some of the advantages to a career in law enforcement. Among these advantages are the fact that law enforcement jobs are secure employment, there are a variety of different job roles available within the field, the pay is good and the benefits are excellent, and their is a clear path for career advancement. Other benefits the author discusses are high self-esteem and camaraderie among officers. The second section discusses the current status of women in the field of policing. The author outlines relevant legislation that has helped to advance women’s rights in the field of law enforcement, such as the guidelines published by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on the employment of minorities and women in 1972. The author goes on to offer advice to women who are pursuing careers in law enforcement. The advice comes from the authors’ experience in law enforcement and includes such things as setting a personal code and maintaining good physical and mental health. Other pieces of advice include trying to obtain a wide variety of experiences at work and getting to know the political leaders in the jurisdiction.