NCJ Number
174389
Journal
Women and Criminal Justice Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: 1998 Pages: 53-75
Date Published
1998
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined the depth and dimensions of gender-based discrimination as perceived by female police officers.
Abstract
Using snowball sampling, 27 currently employed female police officers in a large metropolitan area of the Southwest were interviewed. The female officers were asked whether they experienced discrimination in their jobs because of their gender. Of the 27 officers interviewed, 17 reported they had experienced discrimination, and 10 did not report discrimination. Several of the officers said they had not personally experienced discrimination but knew other female officers who had. In response to the question about whom the women believe discriminates against them, the majority of the sample stated it was their male coworkers, especially older, white officers. Other persons whom they perceived to be discriminatory are citizens, administrators, and male supervisors. The officers who perceived discrimination against them noted that it was not as overt as in the past, but is more subtle and inadvertent. The most frequently expressed complaints of discrimination were of not being taken seriously, of males not acknowledging females in positions of authority, and of generally inappropriate behavior directed at female officers. A few of the female officers felt that male officers do not want females in positions of authority, and male recruits were perceived as displaying hostility toward their female trainers. Administrative decisions regarding assignments and promotion were also perceived by some of the women as discriminatory. No consistent differences in perceptions were related to age, race/ethnicity, rank, employer, or length of service. 1 table and 46 references