PSYCHOLOGICAL VIEW OF WOMEN IN POLICING (FROM POLICE ROLES IN THE SEVENTIES - PROFESSIONALIZATION IN AMERICA, 1975 BY JACK KINTON - SEE NCJ-31601)

• NCJ Number: 31606
• Author(s): L J SHERMAN
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: Social Science and Sociological Resources
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT WOMEN CAN PERFORM MOST POLICE FUNCTIONS AS WELL AS MEN, AND THAT THE ROLE OF VIOLENCE IN POLICE WORK HAS BEEN OVERSTRESSED IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY WOMEN'S EXCLUSION FROM MANY AREAS OF POLICE WORK.

Abstract

EXPERIENCES OF MANY WOMEN IN PATROL, SPECIAL OPERATIONS, AND OTHER TRADITIONALLY MALE-ORIENTED ROLES ARE DISCUSSED. EXPANDED USE OF WOMEN IS URGED, BASED ON A NUMBER OF PROPOSITIONS. THERE IS REPORTED TO BE A REDUCTION IN THE INCIDENCE OF VIOLENCE BETWEEN POLICE OFFICERS AND CITIZENS WHEN WOMEN ARE ASSIGNED TO PATROL. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT BY THEIR VISIBILE PRESENCE, AND THROUGH EXPANDED CONTACTS WITH CITIZENS, WOMEN MAY IMPROVE THE IMAGE OF THE POLICE AND THAT BY HIRING PERSONNEL WHO ARE MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE POPULATION OF THE COMMUNITY, A DEPARTMENT COULD BECOME MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF ALL THE PEOPLE AND CONSEQUENTLY BECOME MORE DEMOCRATIC. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)