U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Women in Law Enforcement: Tips for Successful Recruitment

NCJ Number
173040
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 1998 Pages: 32-35
Author(s)
N Johnson
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes successful strategies used by the University of San Francisco (USF) to recruit and retain women campus police officers.
Abstract
A successful recruitment campaign must encompass several stages: creating an appropriate work environment; marketing to potential candidates; conducting an individual needs assessment and identifying benefits; providing proper training; and following up. The most frequently noted reason for womenþs reluctance to enter a law enforcement career is the perceived attitudes of male officers. After just a few months with their new recruitment program, USF's number of women public safety officers had increased from 5 percent to 23 percent. Other changes included a positive shift in the department's culture, to include: (1) an environment free of harassing gestures and overtones; (2) the use of verbal judo versus physical force; (3) esprit de corps and philosophies of "the learning organization" throughout the organization; and (4) officers holding each other accountable for their actions. References