NCJ Number
18191
Date Published
1974
Length
59 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S EMPLOYMENT POLICIES TOWARD WOMEN WHICH EXAMINES THE VALIDITY OF THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE POLICE OFFICER'S JOB IS 'MAN'S WORK' AND THE DESIRABILITY OF ITS EFFECT ON POLICE HIRING.
Abstract
THIS REPORT FIRST EXAMINES THE LAW REGARDING POLICE DEPARTMENT HIRING PRACTICES TOWARD WOMEN AND THEN CONSIDERS EVIDENCE REGARDING THE CAPABILITY OF WOMEN IN POLICE WORK. THE POLICIES OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE HIRING AND ASSIGNMENT OF WOMEN ARE DETAILED AND IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE STEPS BEING TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLICE WORK ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL OR STATE LAW. SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUGGESTED WHICH WOULD ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW AND INSURING A MORE EFFECTIVE POLICE FORCE. THEY INCLUDE ADVERTISING AND ADMINISTERING A SINGLE, JOB-RELATED ENTRANCE EXAMINATION TO APPLICANTS OF BOTH SEXES; FILLING ALL INTERIM VACANCIES WITH ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS SEX QUOTAS; AND REASSIGNING ALL PRESENT POLICEWOMEN WANTING ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT. ALSO RECOMMENDED WERE PERMANENTLY ASSIGNING ALL WOMEN PRESENTLY IN TRAINING TO PATROL DUTY, BRINGING IN OUTISDE CONSULTANTS TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF AN INCREASED NUMBER OF WOMEN IN A BROADER RANGE OF POLICE ASSIGNMENTS; AND PROVIDING IDENTICAL RECRUIT TRAINING FOR BOTH SEXES. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A COPY OF A POLICE CIRCULAR ON THE UTILIZATION OF POLICEWOMEN ON PATROL IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.