NCJ Number
164168
Journal
European Network of Policewomen Newsletter Issue: 2 Dated: (August 1996) Pages: 2-3
Date Published
1996
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the prevalence and status of women in the Polish police.
Abstract
There are more than 9,000 women employed in the Polish police, composing 9.23 percent of police employees. Most Polish policewomen work in posts that are occupied by civil or administrative officers in Western countries, so it is difficult to make any comparisons. As many as two-thirds of the policewomen are older than 36. Also, the number of women recruited to work within the police has declined to approximately 100 a year. The fact that there are women in the police does not mean they are accepted by their male colleagues or superiors. Apparently they are sometimes barely tolerated. The most frequent worry of female students at the Police Academy is that after graduating, they will be put behind desks and make coffee until their retirement. Although research on policewomen in Poland is sparse, there is evidence that women recruits are more committed than male recruits to their studies at the academy, and the staff fluctuation among women is much lower than that of men. Although male officers are stronger physically than female officers, women tend to be more proficient and effective in interpersonal relations. This in turn builds confidence in the public that they will be treated fairly and sympathetically by female officers.