NCJ Number
99737
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (1985) Pages: 86-97
Date Published
1985
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A survey of 35 males and 44 females who resigned from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) since women began serving in the force until 1980 shows that major reasons for the women's higher attrition rates are marriage-related.
Abstract
The study also involved a matched sample of males and females serving in the RCMP in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. A comparison of background characteristics of male and female ex-members shows the females were somewhat older and better educated than the males. This was also true in the comparison of female ex-members with females still serving. More of the ex-members of both sexes were married compared to the Lower Mainland sample. Both samples were surveyed regarding job satisfaction, morale, and attitudes toward departmental policies. Ex-members were asked about their reasons for leaving the force. Attrition rates for females are not apparently related to job satisfaction or performance. Major reasons for the women's higher attrition rates are marriage-related. Strains created by posting to a different location from a spouse, by conflicting shift schedules, or by difficulties in raising children in a dual-career family are principal reasons why women leave the force. Men are not as likely to leave the force for these reasons. Ways to reduce the attrition rate among female officers should be examined. Tabular data and four references are provided.