NCJ Number
190836
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 109-114
Date Published
July 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses use of force by police women.
Abstract
In a roundtable conducted at the National Center for Women & Policing, a number of academics and practitioners discussed whether female officers were less likely than their male colleagues to use excessive force, whether female officers use a different style that was more in line with community-oriented policing, and whether that style could be taught to male and female officers around the country. Roundtable participants concluded that female officers were not reluctant to use force but were not nearly as likely to be involved in the use of excessive force. The article reported that progressive institutions like the New Haven Police Department had demonstrated that officer style compatible with community policing could be taught at the academy. Further, it suggested that, by increasing the number of women in policing and improving the training of all law enforcement professionals, the incidence of excessive force would decline. In addition, as officers were taught new ways to interact with the community, progress would be made toward transforming community policing and its relationship with the public.