An exploration of crime by policewomen

Abstract

The current study explores criminal conduct by policewomen. This information is increasingly relevant as police departments hire more women, especially if the crimes committed by policewomen differ from those of policemen. News searches identified 105 cases depicting arrests of policewomen. A content analysis was performed. Findings indicate differences exist between crimes committed by policemen and policewomen, as well as by policewomen and women in general. Crime by policewomen is most often profit-motivated. Policewomen had fewer years of service and lower ranks, committed less violent crimes, and were more likely to receive suspensions for off-duty crimes compared to their male peers.

Using Gottfredson and Hirschi’s A General Theory of Crime to Explain Problematic Alcohol Consumption by Police Officers: A Test of Self-Control as Self-Regulation

“…For example, Stinson et al (2012) reported that officers who were arrested in the United States were mostly arrested (88% of their sample) for DUIs and public drunkenness. A similar result was reached when looking at crimes committed by female police officers (Stinson et al, 2015). These data also reveal that most arrested officers were young, male, and held the rank of patrol officer (Stinson et al, 2014).…”

“…Police officers are not immune from exhibiting criminal behavior (Stinson, 2015), and a review of the literature shows that one of the most common crimes committed by police officers are those involving alcohol, like bars fights, public drunkenness, and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol (Stinson, Liederbach, Brewer, & Todak, 2014; Stinson, Liederbach, & Freiburger, 2012; Stinson, Todak, & Dodge, 2015). Given that an officer’s arrest can reflect negatively on the department, and potentially undermine legitimacy and erode public confidence, it is perhaps not a surprise that many scholars have attempted to understand the causes and correlates of problematic alcohol consumption among police officers.…”

To protect and collect: a nationwide study of profit-motivated police crime

“…Whereas less experienced police officers are more likely to commit violent crimes, those officers who commit profit-motivated crimes are more likely to be experienced officers late in their policing career and more likely to be supervisors and/or administrators (Stinson, Liederbach, & Freiburger, 2010). Likewise, crime by policewomen is most often profit-motivated (Stinson, Todak, & Dodge, 2015). Crime by school resource officers typically is not profit-motivated police crime (Stinson & Watkins, 2014).…”

Police Crime: The Criminal Behavior of Sworn Law Enforcement Officers

“…Whereas less experienced police officers are more likely to commit violent crimes, those officers who commit profit‐motivated crimes are more likely to be experienced officers late in their policing career and more likely to be supervisors and/or administrators (Stinson et al ). Likewise, crime by policewomen is most often profit motivated (Stinson et al ). Crime by school resource officers typically is not profit motivated (Stinson and Watkins ).…”