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CAREER IN POLICE WORK - POLICEWOMEN SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

NCJ Number
52052
Journal
WOMEN'S WORK Volume: 4 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 14-23
Author(s)
E B CLARK
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE UTILIZATION OF WOMEN IN POLICE PATROL WORK IS CONSIDERED, AND STUDIES IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO., AND WASHINGTON, D.C., ARE CITED TO SHOW THAT WOMEN CAN PERFORM PATROL DUTIES AS WELL AS MEN.
Abstract
MAJOR CHANGES IN THE ROLE OF WOMEN AS POLICE OFFICERS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE 1970'S. THERE WERE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE WOMEN IN THE POSITIONS OF SERGEANT, LIEUTENANT, AND CAPTAIN SUPERVISING MALE AND FEMALE PATROL OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES IN 1974 THAN IN 1971. STUDIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND ST. LOUIS, MO., SHOW THAT WOMEN ARE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS MEN IN MANAGING DISTRAUGHT AND ANGRY PEOPLE, EVEN THOUGH THEY EXHIBIT A LESS AGGRESSIVE PATROL STYLE AND MAKE FEWER ARRESTS. OPENING UP PATROL DUTIES TO WOMEN HAS HELPED TO DISPEL THE MYTHS THAT WOMEN ARE TOO WEAK AND EMOTIONAL TO COPE WITH THE DANGERS AND PRESSURES OF ACTIVE POLICE WORK. THE FOLLOWING AREAS ARE OPEN TO WOMEN IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE UNITED STATES: PATROLLING IN UNIFORM; INVESTIGATING EVIDENCE FOR HOMICIDE, SEX, BURGLARY, AND FRAUD; UNDERCOVER NARCOTICS WORK; PARK POLICING; AND WORK IN YOUTH DIVISIONS. HIRING SPECIFICATIONS DIFFER FROM ONE LOCALITY TO ANOTHER, BUT ALL LOCALITIES REQUIRE THAT APPLICANTS BE U.S. CITIZENS AND HAVE AT LEAST A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION. SALARIES FOR PATROL OFFICERS START AT AROUND $12,000, WITH OPENINGS DETERMINED BY A LOCALITY'S BUDGET AND NEEDS. SOURCES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER INFORMATION FROM PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE LISTED, AND PHOTOGRAPHS AND PERSONAL REPORTS OF PATROL WOMEN ENGAGED IN ACTIVE DUTY ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)

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