Women In Law Enforcement Essay

Women in policing have always been controversial in that the size and demeanor of a woman could not measure up to that of a male officer. Many argue that women are not physically strong enough to handle violent or potentially violent situations. Some feel the woman’s personal life such as marriage and family will interfere with their work, ironically the same people do not show that concern for male officers. Feminist and others argue that a woman can do anything a man can do and policing is one of them. Throughout history women have held different roles in the law enforcement field. Women have shown that not only can they be an asset to law enforcement but in some areas they excel above their male counterparts.

Obstacle: Perception of Women

Alice Stebbin Wells was the first woman to be called a police officer although her main duties were that of a social worker. She started for the Los Angeles Police Department in 1910. Although many feel that since she was given police powers, Lola Baldwin was the first officer in 1905, however her role was that as a governess over social workers. During World War II, more women were hired as officers but were more so seen as assistants to the male officers. They worked as secretaries and dispatchers. It wasn’t until 1968, when Betty Blankenship and Elizabeth Coffal were sworn in as officers of the Indianapolis Police Department, that women actually went on patrols and held the same duties as male officers. Less than 20 years later, Penny Harrington became the first female police chief. Atlanta Georgia elected Beverly J Harvard as police chief. She was the first African American woman to be police chief. (Women and Policing,

As of 2011, women accounted for 11% of law enforcement officers. According to the Bureau of Justice, most women officers serve in specialty fields such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation Division. Detroit Michigan has the highest percentage of female officers in the US with 27% with Philadelphia Pennsylvania coming close to 22%. Police departments actively recruit women officers many departments offer modified testing for women such as with the Michigan Commission of Law Enforcement Standards. The physical testing is modified so that women can have an equal opportunity. It is hard to argue that women are as strong as their male counterparts however women have shown to be able to not only compete with them in the law enforcement field but surpass in many