Female Law Enforcement Officers & Occupational Perceptions: A Qualitative Study

• In Event: The Evolving Experiences of Female and Minority Officers in Policing

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 the general 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. A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured individual interviews and framework analysis techniques to interpret the data to examine 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 these perceptions using a sample of female law enforcement personnel officers from a southern state. This study is a qualitative analysis on perceptions of both female police officers and female sheriff deputies. The analysis also offers some policy and procedures suggestions.

Author

• Denise Nation, Winston-Salem State University