NCJ Number
11302
Journal
Management Information Service Report Volume: 5 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1973) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Date Published
1973
Length
16 pages
Annotation
USE OF WOMEN IN POLICE PATROL FUNCTIONS, DIRECTIVES ON IMPLEMENTING SUCH PROGRAMS, AND BENEFITS GAINED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN TODAY, CITING THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 WHICH PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX. BASIC MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WOMEN'S EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY AND LACK OF SELF CONFIDENCE ARE EXAMINED IN THE CONTEXT THAT THEY HAVE IMPEDED THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN IN PATROL WORK. THE AUTHOR PRESENTS A LIST OF CITIES AND COUNTIES WHICH ARE KNOWN TO BE UTILIZING WOMEN ON PATROL. HE INDICATES THAT THERE ARE BENEFITS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHICH MAKES SUCH USE OF POLICEWOMEN. SOME OF THE BENEFITS MENTIONED ARE FEWER CITIZEN COMPLAINTS FOR SUCH CHARGES AS POLICE BRUTALITY, INCREASED ATTENTION TO THE SERVICE NATURE OF POLICE WORK, AND IMPROVED CAPABILITY IN A SURVEILLANCE SITUATION WHERE THE POLICEWOMAN CAN BE INCONSPICUOUS. THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE PLANNING OF SUCH PROGRAMS IN THE AREAS OF RECRUITMENT, TESTING, SCREENING, TRAINING, AND SELECTION OF UNIFORMS. HE ADVOCATES CAUTION IN THE USE OF SUCH GUIDES AS THE OFFICER'S ARREST RECORD AND ATTITUDE SURVEYS TO EVALUATE THE POLICEWOMAN'S PERFORMANCE.