Breaking the Blue Silence: Prevalence and Prevention of Sexual Harassment in Policing

Sexual harassment is pervasive in policing. There is nothing in particular about being a police officer (not the firearm, body armor, radio, etc.) that shields them from being victims of sexual harassment/assault. Seven out of 10 female officers and four out of 10 male officers report having experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault during their careers, highlighting a widespread workplace safety issue that undermines recruitment, retention, and morale. The “vulnerable-victim model” helps identify who’s most at risk. Based on a survey of nearly 3,000 sworn officers in the United States, this study found that officers with certain risk factors - such as being female, being a non-White male, experiencing high stress, or having a history of childhood trauma - were more likely to experience sexual harassment or assault. The longer an officer stays on the job (increasing their exposure), the greater their chance of being exposed to sexual harassment or assault. Prior research before this study shows that organizational climate and training matter. Agencies with clear, well-enforced anti-harassment policies and research-based training programs tend to` experience lower harassment rates and higher reporting of incidents. Embedding prevention into leadership messaging and routine practice can foster a more inclusive, safer culture.