Increasing Female Representation in Law Enforcement: Effects on Domestic Violence Practices and Victim Cooperation

• In Event: Police Organization: Gender, Recruitment and Representation

Abstract

This study examines the impact of female representation in law enforcement agencies on victim-centric policies and victim cooperation. The research investigates whether agencies with a higher percentage of sworn female officers are more likely to implement victim services and domestic violence units, and if their higher presence leads to reduced instances of exceptional clearance due to victim refusal to cooperate. The study utilizes pooled Law Enforcement Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) datasets and the 2020 National Incident Based Reporting System dataset. Results from logistic regression indicate that, across 1,700 law enforcement agencies, agencies with 30% or more sworn female officers are significantly more likely to have victim services and domestic violence units. Additionally, results from hierarchical linear equation modeling (HLM) involving over 1,000,000 victims indicates that, across rape and assault incidents, a higher presence of sworn female officers is associated with a 1% decrease in the odds of exceptional clearance due to victim refusal to cooperate when accounting for victim and agency characteristics. Altogether these findings indicate that increased female representation in law enforcement agencies provides tangible benefits for victim-centric policies and practices that may enhance victim cooperation in domestic incidents. Policy and practice implications are discussed.

Authors

• Rachael Rief, University of North Texas

• Alessa Juarez, University of North Texas