P041 - Femininity in a Man's Field: The Contagion Effects of Women in Law Enforcement

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

This project will be examining representative bureaucracy and the contagion effects of women in policing to ask if higher concentrations of female officers impact use of force among departments. This will be done by comparing use of force rates by precincts with varying proportions of female officers. Data is available from the Police Response to Resistance dataset which is gathered yearly from the Dallas Police Department in Dallas, Texas. The aim of this study is to lead to a better understanding of the impact of women in male dominated professions as well as the point of critical mass in terms of representation of female officers in police departments. Possible avenues for future research could compare how differing cultures effect the point at which critical mass is reached for women in policing.

Author

• Ashley Schroeder, American University