EMERGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT (FROM POLICE ROLES IN THE SEVENTIES - PROFESSIONALIZATION IN AMERICA, 1975 BY JACK KINTON - SEE NCJ-31601)

• NCJ Number: 31607
• Author(s): C M Breece; G R Garrett
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 25 pages
• Corporate Author: Social Science and Sociological Resources
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGH ANALYSIS OF THEIR TRADITIONAL ROLE, REVIEW OF LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING THE INTEGRATION OF WOMEN INTO POLICING, AND REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE.

Abstract

IT IS ASSERTED THAT HISTORICALLY WOMEN'S INVOLVEMENT IN POLICE WORK HAS BEEN CLOSELY LINKED WITH STEREOTYPING OF FEMALE PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND OF FEMININE SEX ROLES. THE MOST IMPORTANT LEGAL ACTION TO DATE AFFECTING DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES CONCERNING WOMEN HAS BEEN TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 AS AMENDED BY THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1972, WHICH PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF SEX. PUBLIC REACTION TO WOMEN IN POLICE WORK IS SAID TO VARY, WITH COMMUNITY CITIZENS ACCEPTING THIS DEVELOPMENT, BUT WITH MALE OFFICERS RESISTING IT. EVALUATION STUDIES OF PILOT PROGRAMS HAVE FOUND IMPROVED PUBLIC IMAGE, LESS VIOLENCE IN POLICE-CITIZEN ENCOUNTERS WHEN A FEMALE OFFICER IS PRESENT, AN OVERALL REDUCTION OF POLICE VIOLENCE, AND MORE SENSITIVE AND EFFECTIVE HANDLING OF RAPE AND SEXCRIME VICTIMS. DISADVANTAGES ARE SAID TO INCLUDE RESENTMENT AND OVERPROTECTIVENESS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)