NCJ Number
156168
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1995) Pages: 85-111
Date Published
1995
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study uses two incidence-based data sets, one from Federal litigation cases and one from media reports, to examine the known scope and distribution of police sexual violence against women; the second goal of the study is to develop a continuum of police sexual violence using illustrative case examples.
Abstract
The policing and feminist literature overlap in their examination of male police officers sexually harassing female colleagues and citizens. The police literature allows for the conceptualization of power, authority, and opportunity, but generally ignores the gender bias of the police occupation and the law. On the other hand, the feminist literature explores the bias and systemic differential treatment of citizens based on gender, but fails to recognize the role played by police power, authority, and opportunity in police crime. Common elements identified on the police sexual violence continuum include the extreme power differential between police officers and female citizens, a sexist organizational ideology, judicial and even legal support or tolerance for some forms of police sexual violence, and the structural position of the police. 7 notes, 4 tables, and 80 references