Minority Women in Policing in Texas: An Attitudinal Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the attitudes of female officers towards their colleagues and work utilizing data from a survey of women in policing in Texas. It focuses on minority and majority officers' perceptions of other officers, sexual and racial discrimination, and stress. The findings suggest the presence of several interesting similarities and differences between minority and majority female officers. There is little evidence that female officers do not feel accepted or feel they are treated unfairly on the job. None of the respondents perceived gender discrimination within the workplace. Black and white officers perceived sexual teasing and job stress as fairly common; this was not the case with respect to Latina officers. That is, Latina officers were more likely to prefer male partners than other race/ethnic groups while black officers were more likely to perceive racial discrimination. It is held that the findings with respect to Latina officers may be associated with cultural realities which affect gender‐based perceptions. The implications of these findings for future research are also presented.

Keywords:

• Black Female Officers
• Latina Female Officers
• Police
• Discrimination
• Stress
• Texas

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alejandro del Carmen

Alejandro del Carmen, PhD, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, The University of Texas at Arlington

Helen Taylor Greene

Helen Taylor Greene, PhD, Professor, Barbara Jordan‐Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University

Denise D. Nation

Denise D. Nation, Division of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati

Gbolahan Solomon Osho

Gbolahan Solomon Osho, PhD, Assistant Professor, Barbara Jordan‐Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University.