The Relationship between Police Officers' Attitudes Toward Women and Perceptions of Police Models

• Published in: Police quarterly Vol. 6; no. 3; pp. 278 - 297
• Main Authors: Sims, Barbara, Scarborough, Kathryn E., Ahmad, Janice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 01.09.2003
• Subjects: community policing; women in policing; police officer attitudes
• ISSN: 1098-6111; 1552-745X
• DOI: 10.1177/1098611103254315

This article argues for the nexus between more positive attitudes toward women and an acceptance by police officers of the characteristics and values associated with the community policing model. A survey including questions regarding attitudes toward women and toward both community and traditional policing models was administered to officers of the Little Rock, Arkansas, Police Department. Although some of the questions measuring attitudes toward women used in the present study were found to be predictors of attitudes toward community policing and traditional policing, others were not. The implications for these findings are discussed, and an argument is made for future inquiry into the effect of attitudes toward women on the acceptance of community policing.