Dealing with division

Yes, this article is pretty close to what female officers go through. I think for female officers our biggest gripe is that male officers want to mold us into what they feel we should do. Like dealing with the kids "because we are naturally better at that" and we fit the role. To be honest, my husband enjoys dealing with other people's kids more than I do. He tried to encourage me to join on the Youth Bureau…and I just couldn't put my whole heart in it. I love my kids and will do anything for them. I get highly irritated dealing (disciplining) with other people's kids. I don't see myself being Youth Bureau material, although if a child has been a victim, God so help the offender. I will be their worst nightmare.

Many male officers are the worst offenders when it comes to gossip. I get quite tired of hearing men saying one thing, but the keep doing the exact opposite. Men can get chatty more than their female partners...I've seen it. Everybody in LE seems to say keep your home life and home, and when you come to work, just work. This is another piece of advice that will never be followed because it is human nature for all people to talk about what they know or to find comfort through venting. I haven't seen an officer do it yet. I find that most things male officers accuse women officers of doing are guilt of it themselves…so shut up.

I have to agree with the article here...Just because we wear make up doesn't mean we are prissy...we are concerned about representing our agency, not about being the next Playboy model. I don't think some of the problem male officers realize that female officers visualize kicking their ass...often, and brutally. If a male officer is getting the cold shoulder instead of us flirting with him, we either are maintaining our marriage vows which is already difficult to do as it is or the male officer has some how has made an ass out of himself. And continues to prove his stupidity when he mentions the female officers must be a lesbian. Get sex off your mind when dealing with us lest you find what "mean girl" really means. There is only so much patience.

Male egotism is what the public and female police officers are pissed off with, and I don't know what it takes to get it across. I have members of the community in which I serve just so excited to see a female officer…for a change. Do I walk around gloating with pride on that comment? No…I don't. I am not at all pleased to hear that people think police officers are NOT their friend or view my "blue family" as a bunch of egoistic assholes. This isn't good and certainly doesn't make me proud. I think the other thing that pisses off female officers is that society fails to see that male and females are just as capable at doing the same things. Whether it's a job, raising a family, or doing the best you can for posterity we ALL (and by this I mean normal folks) have the same goals in mind. It is just some of us are better at team work than others, understanding equality, and how to utilize various tools to accomplish these goals.

And to the male officers who have come to understand the last line above, I tip my hat to you. It takes a nation to invest in it to keep it secure and running. That means the nosy ol' lady watching her neighbors is also an American hero just as much as me going out on patrol. Why? Because whether it is the old lady or a police officer witnessing crime; it is that vital piece of information that will secure a conviction in court…where the battles are won even though wrestling and locking up a suspect seems victorious.

We are warriors…male and female. There are more out there than just ones who wear uniforms. That has been the failing mind frame of this male dominant profession for years. To my sisters in blue…remember that God is ruler over all things. Many men fail to remember this. When you do find men that understand it, make friends with them and their families. Real people know power, authority, and where it comes from.

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

RE: June 2008 State of—Women Warriors

I am not as sure that it is an accurate portrayal of today's police environment. I have worked with female officers since the mid 70's. Some were good and some were bad. Of course, the same holds true for male officers. But some of the female officers seem to be carrying a chip on their shoulder about how it was back then. Yes, there used to be a lot of discrimination in law enforcement against the female officers. I just don't see it today. I see new officers joining the departments and females in the upper ranks. I dont think the new female officer has to work any harder to prove herself today than the new male officer does. We have come a long way towards ending discrimination in law enforcement and in our society in general. We may not be there yet, but we have come a long way towards it.

L.E. & females

Well Steve...not al male officers are nice like you with an unbiased view... :-) Believe me...the machoism still exists where females are left to deal with "other"stuff. Don't get me wrong...there are plenty of wonderful male officers out there that don't look at a female officer and put her down below them because they are female. But there are still assholes who haven't got it through their head yet that this is a very diverse field needing an open mind. Traditional law enforcement views of the past (that it should be a male dominant profession, females left to paperwork and working with kids) do linger as some LEO's that have been "bred" through their FTO's still believe that this is the way that it is. I am guessing that smaller police departments have a bigger problem than larger departments as larger departments usually have a jurisdiction with a more diverse citizenship. Smaller departments are image conscience since they are replaceable by a county department, not to mention, smaller communities tend to be mostly white...thus diversity is harder to accept among smaller police departments since it's been a certain way for so many years. American cities are full of different nationalities where these police departments know it is in their best interest to hire a diverse workforce to deal with diverse issues lest crime would skyrocket.

And sure, you are right...law enforcement has come a long way. But as a female cop, let me tell you...discrimination does still exist.

Last edited @ 7/6/2008 8:32 PM

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

RE: June 2008 State of—Women Warriors

yeah, yeah, the more things change...well, you know how the saying goes.