History
Traditionally, becoming a police officer is not the typical female job. Males are thought to dominate this physical and risk taking field because of their larger bone structure and physical abilities. Females, however, are becoming more welcomed in the law enforcement career field. Public approval of policing increased when the 1972 US Congressional Amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed. This Amendment prohibited discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion and national origin in both public and private work places. Females were now allowed to participate in jobs that were thought of to be highly male dominated. Alice Wells became the first ever female police officer. She was hired by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1910. Shortly after, women from all over began applying to become a member of law enforcement.
Traditionally, becoming a police officer is not the typical female job. Males are thought to dominate this physical and risk taking field because of their larger bone structure and physical abilities. Females, however, are becoming more welcomed in the law enforcement career field. Public approval of policing increased when the 1972 US Congressional Amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed. This Amendment prohibited discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion and national origin in both public and private work places. Females were now allowed to participate in jobs that were thought of to be highly male dominated. Alice Wells became the first ever female police officer. She was hired by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1910. Shortly after, women from all over began applying to become a member of law enforcement.
FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN LOCAL DEPARTMENTS
According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, 93.3% of all females in law enforcement are at the rank of police officers or detectives. Only 5.7% are sergeants and only 1% are lieutenants, captains or higher. Findings included that women are motivated to becoming police officers because of financial security, most women report that discrimination exists in the department, and that it is harder to be promoted being a female because of the heavily male-dominiated role. Women in law enforcement are more often dealing with juveniles and female-related victims because of their nature to be empathetic, less aggressive, more nurturing and good at communicating. Agencies are now more welcoming about the special attributes that women bring to the field of criminal justice. Some strengths and weaknesses of females in law enforcement are shown below:
Strengths
Salary
The average salary of police officers vary upon geographical location size and amount of residents in the area. The typical starting salary of police officers in our location start at around $42,000. The larger the area the more pay the average police officer makes. Major cities have the highest populations which require more police officers to be hired. Some of the major cities include:
Conclusion
In Conclusion, the male dominated police field is slowly shifting to a more gender equal field of profession. Legislation such as the Amendment to the Civil Rights Act made hiring practices against women because of their sex, illegal. Research has proven that women are just as capable of being skilled police officers as males. Female officers are better at communicating with the possible suspect in a friendly manner so the use of force is used much less often. Technique is proven to be key in arrests/violent incidents and female officers are just as good at learning these techniques as males. Women are under-represented in the police field but those who are police officers make a similar salary to the males in this profession.
This topic of women in law enforcement is important because it shows that women are very capable and willing to do jobs that are typically thought of to be male oriented. Although women are under-represented, those who are in this field have proven to be good at police duties. In the next few years we will hope to see more females in law enforcement careers as more attention is being given to women's rights issues. More female officers will help to reduce the gender biases of the workforce today.
Strengths
- Proven to be equally able as males to cope under violent encounters as males
- Proven just as willing to use apprehensive force if necessary
- Aids to diversify many local police departments
- Better able to communicate with offender than males which results in less often using physical force
- Difficulty passing strength and agility testing required to become a police officer
- Low overall amount of female police officers which could lead to discriminatory acts
- Lower pay than males when holding managerial positions in law enforcement ($200 less / weekly)
- Roughly 60,000 female officers out of 530,000.
Salary
The average salary of police officers vary upon geographical location size and amount of residents in the area. The typical starting salary of police officers in our location start at around $42,000. The larger the area the more pay the average police officer makes. Major cities have the highest populations which require more police officers to be hired. Some of the major cities include:
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA: Median wages – $85,620
- Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL: Median wages – $72,660
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: Median wages – $64,480
- New York: Median wages – $62,820
- Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ: Median wages – $62,460
- Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX: Median wages – $62,460
Conclusion
In Conclusion, the male dominated police field is slowly shifting to a more gender equal field of profession. Legislation such as the Amendment to the Civil Rights Act made hiring practices against women because of their sex, illegal. Research has proven that women are just as capable of being skilled police officers as males. Female officers are better at communicating with the possible suspect in a friendly manner so the use of force is used much less often. Technique is proven to be key in arrests/violent incidents and female officers are just as good at learning these techniques as males. Women are under-represented in the police field but those who are police officers make a similar salary to the males in this profession.
This topic of women in law enforcement is important because it shows that women are very capable and willing to do jobs that are typically thought of to be male oriented. Although women are under-represented, those who are in this field have proven to be good at police duties. In the next few years we will hope to see more females in law enforcement careers as more attention is being given to women's rights issues. More female officers will help to reduce the gender biases of the workforce today.