Challenges Faced by Women Officers as They Pursue Promotions

Written survey responses from 226 women police officers from the U.S. were analyzed to identify challenges women face in the police promotions process. Participants identified six challenges. The top responses were: (1) gender bias among the decision makers, (2) cronyism (i.e., the promotion of friends or associates), and (3) doubt in women’s policing abilities. Police agencies looking to diversify their upper ranks must simultaneously pursue an objective promotions process and reflect on how male-dominated organizational cultures can spill into promotions decisions to disadvantage women.