Women Police Chiefs: A Self-perception of Women Officers in Law Enforcement

A large body of literature substantiates women's difficulties integrating into all levels of law enforcement. To understand the experiences of women police officers in the force, and to understand how law enforcement leaders view the role of women in leadership positions, this study focused on the perception of six women police officers–specifically, women police chiefs towards women who already assumed leadership positions, overcame challenges entering law enforcement and advancing into leadership positions, and collected their input on organizational decisions, policy, and recruitment of women officers. This study employs a qualitative phenomenological methodology and interviews six women police chiefs in depth. Findings suggest that from the perspective of women police chiefs, the role of women in law enforcement leadership positions is associated with special soft skills, positions or titles that women can hold, and a gender discrepancy in terms of access to leadership roles in law enforcement. Interviewees generally shared the sentiment that the male-dominated culture in policing is gradually changing as women enter the field. Interviewees indicate that this change in conjunction with soft skills that women possess and contribute to the profession as advantages for women in policing leadership positions. On the other hand, interviewees also shared the disadvantages and obstacles that women leaders must still overcome, including a lack of support for women who are child-rearing at some point during their careers, a persisting masculinity culture, and a lack of guidance from senior officers. Findings from this study align with interventions and strategies that support women in leadership roles; therefore, to overcome the various challenges reported by our interviewees, we recommend policy changes at the organizational or county level that allow women the flexibility to attend to child-rearing needs, such as flexible work schedules that align with school schedules, and day care; changes to attract more women to law enforcement, such as increased salary and training, and fitness test customized for women; and additional support for women through coaching and mentorship programs. We also recommend that police recruitment videos feature women and content that is important to women, such as the organization's benefits that support raising a family.