Gender labeling has had an enormous impact on women being able to enter the law enforcement field. Many people still believe that women do not have what it takes to be a police officer, they are not strong or aggressive enough. Society sees law enforcement as a masculine field that has traditionally been dominated by men. This is shown best by the physical tests required to become a police officer. They do not often take into account the physical differences between men and women.
The Civil Rights Movement of 1964, affirmative action, and the growing number of laws that prevent discrimination based on sex have allowed women to gain more of a foothold in law enforcement. Women are traditionally not as physically strong as men, but this has been proven to not prevent them performing their duties as a police officer.
According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police:
The Civil Rights Movement of 1964, affirmative action, and the growing number of laws that prevent discrimination based on sex have allowed women to gain more of a foothold in law enforcement. Women are traditionally not as physically strong as men, but this has been proven to not prevent them performing their duties as a police officer.
According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police:
- Women can be just as, if not more than, effective in scenarios as men
- Women are more adept at diffusing dangerous situations
- Women still face discrimination in law enforcement
- The media has begun portraying women as competent and effective law enforcement officers
- More than 2/3 of criminal justice students are in support of women law enforcement officers
- Women law enforcement officers are effective at community oriented policing