How are female cops treated?

[rferrell]

Hello,

I joined your site because I am considering becoming a cop.

I'm female, 33 yrs. old and curious about how well females are accepted.

I work in the medical field and considering changing careers into law enforcement.

I have fears about being mistreated by other cops.

What have you all witnessed or experienced?

Thank you, Rhonda

[steelcityk9cop]

Male or female….either you can do the job or you can’t. As far as being mistreated goes… sounds like someone has been watching too many Lifetime movies. ;)

[rferrell]

Lifetime is a little cheesy for me.

I have military experience and kicked butt and had no problem with dealing with the men.

I guess that I've heard things like "women officers have a harder time getting promoted" etc

Like you said, if I can do the job what's to fear?

[retdetsgt]

I guess that I've heard things like "women officers have a harder time getting promoted" etc

Not where I worked. They chose one from the top five of any promotion list and any woman or minority anywhere in that five will always go first.

[steelcityk9cop]

I think many female officers come into the job with a little bit of a chip on their shoulders in terms of this “need” to prove themselves to their male counterparts. Male or female you prove yourself over time through your deeds and actions.

Politics play more of a role in promotions than gender ever will. If you could “hang with the boys” when you were in the service you’ll be fine.

[retdetsgt]

Our new chief is female as are two of the three assistant chiefs now also wimmen. One of five precinct commanders is a female.

[rferrell]

I don't have anything to prove. No chips here!

I have always wanted to be a cop but listened to everyone else that said, Oh, you'll get killed! You don't need to do that! That's not a job for women!

They don't realize that I already work in an enviroment that has deadly viruses, bacterial infections, etc
I could easily contract HIV, TB, Hepatitis C, etc.

I deal with combative, angry patients everyday. I have the temperment to handle tough situations and people.

Becoming a cop would mean a lower salary but I'm at the point of burn-out with my job. I would love to have a job where you never know what your shift will bring.

Thanks for your input.

[oscarmitre]

I think it depends on where you want to work - location of the force and the unit(s) you want to work in. My force is generally good as far as women are concerned. They achieved equal pay with men in 1918 thanks to our Association. Women began working in general duties/uniform areas in 1974. We have women working in most areas of the job. When a female gets promoted to senior rank the media don't bother making a big fuss about it.

[1depd]

At my agency if you pull your weight nobody cares what sex you are. With that said we have not hired a female since I've been there who pulls her weight. It might have something to do with the agency has one of the lowest compensation packages in the county, which means we get the left overs (male and female) applying. Most people who apply do so for one of three reasons: They are retired from another agency and don't want to quit yet, they weren't hireable at another agency, or they were hired at another agency but failed to complete FTO. Many of the officers in last two categories move to another local agency after a couple of years. It's a running joke that we are the county's extended FTO program, solid training, but not much crime.:D

[CTUCop]

If you get a job as an officer, plan on doing the job. Then, you will treated fairly by the majority of the members in the department. It comes down to pulling your own weight and getting it done.

If you starting expecting some different type of treatment, or can't function in patrol because of whatever excuse you think you can use, you're in for a hard time. But that goes for a female or a male, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

DO THE JOB and don't expect special treatment. Most officers seem to be "type A" folks and expect you to hold your own. Half-step through training and then the job, you'll in for a bad time.

[TPDHellhound]

A cop is a cop in my agency. But the SteelCity is right about the part of either being able or not being able to do this job. Some women have difficulties doing to job but stay on by hiding behind the veil of sexual equality. So unfortunately, politics steps in... the final result is an officer working the street who isn't qualified that puts her life and her back up's life in danger everyday.

This happens with male officers too, just not as often.

Women are very well received, as long as they're qualified.

And if you think this is a male-dominate sexist opinion, just ask a QUALIFIED female officer what she thinks of the one hiding behind the gender card. She'll be more vocal that you could ever imagine.

[MORA Ranger]

I haven't had a problem as a female in this job. I kind of like having my own locker room and bathroom.

We just hired another female and I haven't met her yet. I must admit that I'm more worried about her than I would be if we'd hired a guy I didn't know. I worry that she'll be one of those incompetent girls that makes the rest of us look bad. I've worked with guys that shouldn't be doing this job, but it's different when it's a woman that can't cut it. It pisses me off more, because I feel that it reflects poorly on all of us.

[Legoate]

I don't have anything to prove. No chips here!

I have always wanted to be a cop but listened to everyone else that said, Oh, you'll get killed! You don't need to do that! That's not a job for women!

They don't realize that I already work in an enviroment that has deadly viruses, bacterial infections, etc
I could easily contract HIV, TB, Hepatitis C, etc.

I deal with combative, angry patients everyday. I have the temperment to handle tough situations and people.

Becoming a cop would mean a lower salary but I'm at the point of burn-out with my job. I would love to have a job where you never know what your shift will bring.

Thanks for your input.

I was exactly in the same position as you a few years back (except I was still a male) and was glad for a change. After many years working in the ER I changed jobs and have never looked back.

It's funny how many people ask "didn't you take a cut in pay?" as if that's the most important part. I don't miss the pay, and I certainly don't miss the ER. I'm glad to be working a job that I enjoy now.

[fatboyjim154]

I think it depends on where you want to work - location of the force and the unit(s) you want to work in. My force is generally good as far as women are concerned. They achieved equal pay with men in 1918 thanks to our Association. Women began working in general duties/uniform areas in 1974. We have women working in most areas of the job. When a female gets promoted to senior rank the media don't bother making a big fuss about it.

EQUAL PAY I WOULD NOT STAND FOR THAT!




Just coming dear

Sorry wife want me to do the dishes must go.

[Cinnamon]

OK, here's my 2 cents...and this is coming from a woman that started the academy at age 31.

The police force is at least 85% male, if not more. So, with that ratio, you're gonna get a lot of attention...good, bad and indifferent. I was treated equally in the academy. Then during my FTI period, I believe that I HAD to prove myself more than a guy would have to. And I understood a little bit as to why. I'm 120 soaking wet, and I'm gonna be someone's back up? How am I gonna save them? They wanted to see what I had...and I proved myself and we moved on.

I've been on the job over 6 years now, and I think everyone on my dept knows that I will kick butt, or at least get in there with you while both our butts are being kicked. What it comes down to is that I will never let a squad member hang...I'll be right there with you.

And with you being in your 30's also, you know how guys are. So I know you can handle yourself in that department. ;)

So, if you want to be a cop GO FOR IT! If anyone bugs you, tell them to kiss your a$$. :D