Gender Equality, Government Effectiveness, and Female Representation in Policing: A Cross-National Examination

• In Event: Quantitative Methods WG. Panel 2. Macro-Level Analysis of Crime & Justice Data

Abstract

Studies underscore the many benefits associated with recruitment of females into policing. Female representation has been found to be associated with a higher rate of sex crime reporting, better relationship with communities, higher public trust in police, and less corruption. However, most of the relevant studies have been conducted in a single country (e.g., USA). To date, very little empirical work has explored how country-level gender equality and government effectiveness are related to female representation in policing. Specifically, this study examines whether a country with a narrower gender gap in economic participation and opportunity and political empowerment (measured by the Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index) will have a higher percentage of females in policing. It also investigates whether countries with higher levels of government effectiveness and control of corruption have a higher female representation in policing. Analyzing data from 70 countries in different regions of the world, I find that both government effectiveness and control of corruption were positively associated with representation of females in policing. Countries with a narrower gender gap in economic participation and opportunity and political empowerment were found to have higher female representation in policing. Policy implications and suggestions for future study are discussed.

Author

• Doris C. Chu, Northumbria University