POLICEWOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE LAW ENFORCEMENT - AN OPINION SURVEY

• NCJ Number: 38254
• Author(s): K E MESSICK
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 257 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of the Air Force
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS STUDY COLLECTS AND ANALYZES OPINIONS OF USAF (UNITED STATES AIR FORCE) SECURITY POLICE CONCERNING THE FEASIBILITY OF UNLIMITED UTILIZATION OF WOMEN IN USAF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Abstract

THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS ALSO ADMINISTERED TO A SAMPLE OF CIVILIAN POLICE. THE STUDY FOUND THAT USAF SECURITY POLICE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE A PRONOUNCED AND SIGNIFICANT PREJUDICE AGAINST POLICEWOMEN IN USAF LAW ENFORCEMENT. CIVIL POLICE ARE MORE PRONOUNCED IN THEIR RESISTANCE TO WOMEN POLICE THAN ARE EITHER SECURITY POLICE IN THE FIELD OR AT HEADQUARTERS ASSIGNMENTS. RESPONDENTS GENERALLY DISAPPROVED OF WOMEN IN ROLES OF AUTHORITY, FRONT-LINE POLICING INVOLVING DANGEROUS CONFRONTATION, DUTIES REQUIRING STRENGTH, AND DUTIES THOUGHT TO BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR SEXUAL CAUSE, SUCH AS FIRST SERGEANT OR CONFINEMENT GUARD. THE YOUNGER, LESS EXPERIENCED SECURITY POLICEMEN ARE MOST PRONOUNCED IN THEIR DISAPPROVAL OF WOMEN IN USAF POLICING. OTHER FINDINGS RELATE TO THE FEMININE EMOTIONAL STEREOTYPE, SEXIST ISSUES, I.E., THE SUITABILITY OF POLICEWOMEN TO INTERVIEW FEMALE VICTIMS OF SEX CRIMES, AND THE PRESERVATION OF MASCULINE AUTHORITY. THESE FINDINGS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PREVIOUSLY EVIDENCED MALE-SUPREMIST OPINIONS. FURTHER STUDY IS URGED SO THAT THE AIR FORCE EITHER DISCRIMINATE AGAINST WOMEN FOR CAUSE, OR CEASE TO DISCRIMINATE.