Policewomen in Kenya and their Attitudes Towards Policing

• In Event: Policing In an International Context

Abstract

Amidst wealth of literature on the role of women in law enforcement worldwide, very little information exists about Kenyan Policewomen and their attitudes towards policing. Understanding how women officers perceive their job is important for police service to develop policies that provide a conducive environment, thus making policing career worthwhile and meaningful for women. With the ongoing police reforms, and an affirmative action requiring that 30% of hiring or promotion in Kenyan Government be slotted for women, the Kenya Police makes deliberate effort to increase the underrepresented population of its female officers. Per 2016 data, women represent 14.28% of the police (N=40,000). Records indicate that that the traditionally stringent policy that required pregnant recruits/coursewomen be excluded or terminated from training has been flexed in permitting pregnant officers to complete their training. Their roles have equally expanded from female prison searchers to high command leadership ranks. Despite these improvements, Kenyan policewomen still face unique challenges in their male dominated career, yet no empirical research has assessed attitude of female officers towards their changing role in policing. Using a survey questionnaire, our study examines women officers’ (n=500) attitudes towards policing to fill this void. Study findings will be discussed for policy recommendations.

Authors

• Resila Onyango, City University of New York

• Mangai Natarajan, John Jay College of Criminal Justice