Women’s opinions about gender equality policies to accessing the police

• In Event: POL Panel 30. Police reform and legitimacy

Abstract

Even if the number of women keeps increasing in police forces, the difference between the percentage of male and female officers is still high. Understanding why less women apply to join the police is key to adopt measures to increase their numbers. With this aim, some jurisdictions have applied gender equality strategies to increase the number of women in police services, including gender quotas. This specific measure has been used by the Mossos d’Esquadra (police force in Catalonia, Spain) in recent years, setting aside a ratio of 40% of the positions for women. After a swift examination of statistics on the presence of women in the organization, this study explores women’s opinions regarding this measure through data from 59 interviews. These interviews were conducted on a sample of women applying for a job in the police, students in the police academy and training officers, and police officers, including high rank officers in the Mossos d’Esquadra police. Results show mixed opinions regarding gender quotas, albeit most of the responses are cautious and reflect apprehension about possible negative effects for police women and their progression in the organization. Opinions are shaped by women’s motivations to join the police, their view about being a police officer means, and the expected opinions of their male co-workers. Results reflect the ambivalence of the concept of sisterhood in police culture

Authors

• Albert Pedrosa Bou, University of Girona

• Ester Blay Gil, University of Girona

• Noelia Miranda Soriano, Autonomous University of Barcelona