NCJ Number
54495
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY AND STATUS OF WOMEN IN POLICING ARE DISCUSSED, AND BARRIERS TO FULL ACCEPTANCE OF FEMALE POLICE OFFICERS ARE IDENTIFIED.
Abstract
THE INTRODUCTION OF WOMEN INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND THE ACCELERATION OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN POLICE WORK DURING THE 1960'S BOTH REFLECTED GENERAL SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS OF THE TIMES. WOMEN ARE FOUND IN ALL ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK AND IN ALL TYPES AND SIZES OF DEPARTMENTS. BUT, AS EMPLOYMENT DATA AND STATISTICS ON THE PROPORTION OF FEMALE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO PATROL DUTY IN MAJOR URBAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS INDICATE, WOMEN STILL HAVE FAR TO GO TO ACHIEVE EQUAL STATUS WITH MEN IN POLICING. DESPITE EVIDENCE THAT WOMEN CAN MAKE GOOD POLICE OFFICERS, EFFORTS TO INCREASE THEIR NUMBERS AND TO PROMOTE AND ASSIGN THEM ON AN EQUAL BASIS WITH MEN CONTINUE TO MEET WITH RESISTANCE. PART OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS ON POLICE DEPARTMENTS. BUT OTHER FACTORS WORKING AGAINST THE SEXUAL INTEGRATION OF POLICING RUN DEEPER. THESE FACTORS HAVE TO DO WITH THE SOCIAL CHANGE PROCESS AND THE CRITICAL ROLE THAT ATTITUDES PLAY IN THAT PROCESS, AND WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH POLICE ATTITUDES BOTH REINFORCE AND ARE SHAPED BY THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. RESOCIALIZATION STRATEGIES AIMED AT HELPING MALE OFFICERS TO ACCEPT THE PRESENCE OF WOMEN ON THE FORCE AND TO DEAL WITH WOMEN OFFICERS AS PEERS ARE IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR THE SUCCESS OF FEMALE OFFICERS BUT ALSO FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL OFFICERS AND THE GENERAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEPARTMENT. (LKM)