NCJ Number
70853
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 3 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1980) Pages: 22-29
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes the training of an all-female class at the New Jersey State Police Academy and the lessons it provided on the training of women for police work.
Abstract
The program was the first all-female police class in the U.S. and resulted from a court order. The 30 women who graduated in May had entered the academy in February along with 74 others who would drop out during the training. Prior to this program, only two women had completed academy training. Police officials and Seton Hall University staff studied the training program during its operation to determine women police recruits' special needs during training. Trainers modified the standard training as needed during its operation. For example, high top shoes used for men generated complaints among the women. When sports medicine experts stated that women were more prone to injury when using high top shoes, the shoes were eliminated and low shoes used instead. The training results indicated that although women are generally smaller and weaker than men, they can meet standards if specially designed exercises are used. In addition, women can use force as effectively as men, although they frequently have different perceptions of physical fitness from those of men. Furthermore, women officers can handle stress as well as men. Finally, it helps to admit that sexism exists and to encourage male police to vent their feelings on the subject. Many female recruits dropped out because they disliked the quasimilitary environment and lifestyle or specific training components, such as boxing. The main reason for leaving was an unrealistic view of police work. Information from this program will be used in future recruiting and training, although a long range evaluation will take another 6 months.