For years now police agencies have been
attempting to increase the draw of women into the police force. Having female
officers provides many benefits for the local departments that are invaluable
when compared to their male counterparts. While some evidence attempts to be
compiled against female officers little evidence is shown to prove much
ineffectiveness. “Although a number of studies document police officers' and
community members' concern that women are not strong enough or aggressive
enough for police work, physical strength has not been shown to predict general
police effectiveness or ability to handle dangerous situations
successfully”(Lonsway, 2000). Studies also find that not only will recruiting
and retaining women into the police force benefit the profession of the police
officer it can also serve to aid their male counterparts as well as their
respective communities. The ways in which women police officers directly
benefit their profession will be explored in the following points. They serve to
show how employment benefits and work place benefits are impacted by women in
policing.
•Female officers are as adept in their field as male counterparts and even excel in certain aspects of the job
•Female officers have a less likely chance to use excessive force when dealing with conflict
•Female officers are more aware of and more involved in community-oriented policing
•Women officers have a high impact of the response to violence against women
•With more female officers on the police force the issue of sexual discrimination and harassment problems are lowered due to more female presence
•The presence of women officers can serve to benefit all police officers in pushing for better policies.
•Female officers are as adept in their field as male counterparts and even excel in certain aspects of the job
•Female officers have a less likely chance to use excessive force when dealing with conflict
•Female officers are more aware of and more involved in community-oriented policing
•Women officers have a high impact of the response to violence against women
•With more female officers on the police force the issue of sexual discrimination and harassment problems are lowered due to more female presence
•The presence of women officers can serve to benefit all police officers in pushing for better policies.