NCJ Number
139493
Date Published
1992
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This study examines whether or not the laws and policies that have led to the differential treatment of policemen and policewomen within European police forces comply with the European directive regarding the equal treatment of men and women in the areas of entrance into the work force, occupational training, promotion opportunities, and terms of employment.
Abstract
Directive 76/207 of the European Economic Council forbids both direct and indirect discrimination based on gender in employment selections and assignments. The directive does allow exceptions when gender is a determining factor in occupational activities, when provisions protect women, and when the equal treatment of men and women is improved. Those police forces that have the same height requirement for both men and women indirectly discriminate against women, since women are on average shorter than men. There is no evidence that height is a significant factor in a person's ability to perform essential police tasks. Setting the same requirements for men and women in sports tests also results in indirect discrimination, since there are inherent differences in the physiques and strength of men and women. There is no evidence that sports test requirements that exceed the performance capabilities of a significant percentage of women are essential for the performance of police tasks. The exclusion of women as a group from certain police tasks is also discriminatory. Much of this exclusion is based in the belief that women must be spared difficult, unpleasant, and dirty work. Women as a class should not be excluded from any categories of police work. Each assignment should be based on an assessment of individual capabilities without any prejudgment based on the individual's gender. 23 item bibliography and appended information on the European Network for Policewomen