This study explored the journeys of women who reached executive leadership positions in policing, focusing on their experiences and agency within a system that has historically excluded them. This qualitative study employed a combined grounded theory and situational analysis approach, to explore the lived experiences of 21 racially diverse women holding executive leadership roles in U.S. law enforcement. Women reaching executive positions are driven by purpose and resilience, leveraging visibility, risk-taking, and opportunity creation, while benefiting from strong support and mentorship to succeed.
Nicola Smith-Kea (2025) studied this question.