Policing in the South: Occupational Perceptions of Female Law Enforcement Officers

• In Event: Experiences of Women Police Officers: Boys’ Club, Invisible Barriers, and Gendered Communication

Abstract

Policing has predominately been a male orientated profession. However, there has been a substantial increase in the number female police officers in recent years. The purpose of this study is to increase our knowledge of sworn female officers’ (SFOs) perceptions of their workplace, colleagues, the community and policing strategies. Historically, workplace problems, including treatment by other (male) officers, as well as, gender and racial discrimination have been identified as sources of stress for female officers. Few studies have examined the effects of perceptions of tokenism on either perceptions of workplace treatment, stress, discrimination both within and outside the police organization. This research will examine the perceptions using a sample of North Carolina female law enforcement personnel officers. The presentation is a preliminary analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data on perceptions of both female police officers and female sheriff deputies. The analysis also offers some policy and procedures suggestions.

Author

• Denise D. Nation, Winston-Salem State University