Implications of police occupational culture in discriminatory experiences of senior women in police forces in England and Wales

Brown, Jennifer; Fleming, Jenny; Silvestri, Marisa; Linton, Kenisha; Gouseti, Ioanna

doi:10.1080/10439463.2018.1540618

Cited by 48 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…In a rare international comparison of the position of women in policing, Van Ewijk (2011) points to a shared global narrative of opposition and resistance to their recruitment, entry and progression. Research also confirms an enduring "heterosexist male" police culture in the 21st century in which women police continue to experience discrimination, harassment, prejudice in undertaking their roles (Brown et al, 2019;Loftus, 2009). This is as true for countries where their number has remained persistently low as for those where their percentage has increased over time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Women police leaders in Europe: A tale of prejudice and patronage

Silvestri

Tong

2020

European Journal of Criminology

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This article provides rich and unique insights into the experiences of women police leaders across seven European regions. Drawing on interview data, it presents accounts of women’s experiences in policing and identifies informal and formal barriers to their advancement in European police organizations. Women police leaders report high levels of gender discrimination, obstruction and prejudice over the course of their careers. We argue that there are a number of subjective and informal criteria of ‘acceptability’ that shape women’s experiences of promotion and that informal patronage is a strong basis from which strategic appointments are made within European police systems. The article makes sense of the ways in which informal aspects of career progression function alongside formal promotion criteria to preserve men as the ‘ideal’ candidates for police leadership positions, resulting in a preference for other men and the exclusion of women. The relevance of these findings is key to informing the future selection and development of police leaders in an increasingly complex police landscape.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Women police leaders in Europe: A tale of prejudice and patronage

Silvestri

Tong

2020

European Journal of Criminology

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“…Women’s stunted entry and retention may be attributed to a variety of internal and external factors, including gendered processes, gender socialization, and masculine police subcultures (Brown, 2007; Brown, Fleming, et al., 2019; Corsianos, 2009; Garcia, 2003; Morash & Haarr, 2012). The masculine subculture is one of the most visited factors in the literature because it is known to cultivate adverse experiences for women (Rabe-Hemp, 2009; Silvestri, 2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Gendered Environments in Policing: Workplace Incivilities and Fit Perceptions in Men and Women Officers

Rief

Clinkinbeard

2020

Police Quarterly

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Research indicates that women are still underrepresented in policing and that police culture is not fully accepting of its sisters in blue. As police organizations strive toward building an inclusive workforce, we must understand how women, already in the field, view their place and experiences within their jobs, organizations, and workgroups. Thus, in the current research, we use a comparative sample ( n = 832) of male and female officers to examine perceptions of fit in the job, organization, and workgroup, and how these perceptions relate to reports of workplace incivilities. Findings indicate that women "fit in "with the job and the broader agency, but they are less likely than men to feel they belong within their workgroup. This relationship was partially mediated by workplace incivilities, indicating that women’s experience of subtle forms of discrimination partially explains their lower levels of fit in their workgroup.

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“…Bea’s fear of losing respect and credibility is common and it is cited as a reason for why women might resist the introduction of quotas (Van den Brink & Stobbe, 2014). The masculine police culture already invalidates women (Brown, 2007; Brown et al, 2019; Heidensohn, 2008; Waddington, 1999), and the interviews suggested that policewomen feared that a quota system would compound negative attitudes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, police organizations tended to ignore the legislation at this time (Prenzler, 2015). This is probably not surprising, considering that the occupational culture of policing has always had a strong emphasis on masculinity and this emphasis has delegitimized and excluded women (see, Brown, 2007; Brown et al, 2019; Heidensohn, 2008; Manning, 2007; Silvestri, 2003; Smith & Gray, 1985; Waddington, 1999). It was not until the Equal Opportunity Acts, which had the broader aim of providing greater opportunity for women, were legislated in the 1980s that the number of policewomen in Australia began to increase (Prenzler, 1995; Prenzler & Hayes, 2000).…”

Section: Introduction Of Equal Employment Opportunities Policies In Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Policewomen’s Perceptions of Gender Equity Policies and Initiatives in Australia

Newton

Huppatz

2020

Feminist Criminology

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This paper explores policewomen’s perceptions of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) initiatives including breastfeeding rooms, part-time and flexible work arrangements, and gender quotas. Drawing on interviews with 18 Australian policewomen, our analysis reveals that while policewomen recognize that good initiatives and policies exist, when workers attempt to access them, they are often met with resistance and resentment. Policewomen express concerns about quotas, fearing that they might translate to a loss of respect and credibility for women workers. Our research aims to create a more nuanced understanding of how EEO policies are practiced within policing and considers possibilities for future policies.

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Implications of police occupational culture in discriminatory experiences of senior women in police forces in England and Wales

Abstract: Implications of police occupational culture in discriminatory experiences of senior women in police forces in England and Wales.

Cited by 48 publications

References 54 publications

Women police leaders in Europe: A tale of prejudice and patronage

Women police leaders in Europe: A tale of prejudice and patronage

Exploring Gendered Environments in Policing: Workplace Incivilities and Fit Perceptions in Men and Women Officers

Policewomen’s Perceptions of Gender Equity Policies and Initiatives in Australia

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