Students Perceptions of Women in Policing: The Role of Media Portrayal and Representation of Policewomen

• In Event: Perception, Identity, and Encounter-Specific Legitimacy

Abstract

Purpose
Diversity and representation are pivotal in the growth of organizations, particularly in policing, where women make up less than 13% of the total force in the US (Goodison, 2022). Despite various factors contributing to this underrepresentation, the way female officers are portrayed in the media (i.e., television and film) can potentially influence public perceptions, affecting aspirations to join the police force and overall views on women's capabilities in law enforcement.
This study addresses a critical gap by investigating how media television and film representation of women in policing shapes students' perceptions of female officers.
Design/Methodology
Using data from an online survey administered to a diverse sample of students, the study employed descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation and ordinary least square regression to analyze the collected data.

Findings
Findings generally did not support the position that negative portrayal of police and policewomen in television/film is associated with negative student perceptions of policing. Significance and limitations, as well as policy implications and directions for future research, are discussed. By exploring the multifaceted nature of media influence on public perception, this research fills a void in understanding the connection between media representation of female officers, and how perceptions about women in policing are impacted.

Author

• Alberta Mayfair Asare Yeboah, North Dakota State University