This thesis examines the experiences and perceptions that Aboriginal and white women have about abusive relationships and about the police responses to these situations. Differences and similarities between these two groups of women will further highlight the need for resources and policing which are sensitive to the different needs of both groups. Assessments of the cultural differences between Aboriginal and white inner city women are particularly important as women seek to develop more and better alternatives to living in abusive relationships.<p>Theoretically, an examination of gender oppression through patriarchy and its effect on male violence towards women is provided. Understanding the influence of patriarchal social relations on the subordination of women in society is helpful in explaining the similarities in perceptions and experiences of male violence between Aboriginal and white inner city women. The subculture of violence theory is also examined and is used to help understand the differences in perceptions and experiences of these two groups of women. The argument is made that Aboriginal women have qualitatively different perceptions of both battery and the police response to their calls of battery due to the historical legacy of colonization of Aboriginal people in Canada.<p>The data were gathered via a questionnaire and in-person interviews which asked women respondents a wide variety of questions pertaining to their perceptions and experiences with battery, and any police involvement. The questionnaires obtained background information about respondents, responses to a 5 point Likert scale of attitudinal statements pertaining to battery and policing, and responses to specific questions which requested written responses. <p>Analysis of the quantitative data involved descriptive presentation examining relationships between the independent variable ethnic background and dependent variables, as indicated by the 25 questionnaire items, using bivariate distributions. The qualitative data were thematically coded and examined.<p>Importantly, the study revealed that there are significant differences between the perceptions of Aboriginal and white inner-city women. Aboriginal women were found to much more tolerant of abuse from their male partners, and were less likely to call the police in a time of crisis. It was also found that many Aboriginal women had very negative experiences with the police which further disadvantaged them when dealing with battery situations.

This thesis examines the experiences and perceptions that Aboriginal and white women have about abusive relationships and about the police responses to these situations. Differences and similarities between these two groups of women will further highlight the need for resources and policing which are sensitive to the different needs of both groups. Assessments of the cultural differences between Aboriginal and white inner city women are particularly important as women seek to develop more and better alternatives to living in abusive relationships.<p>Theoretically, an examination of gender oppression through patriarchy and its effect on male violence towards women is provided. Understanding the influence of patriarchal social relations on the subordination of women in society is helpful in explaining the similarities in perceptions and experiences of male violence between Aboriginal and white inner city women. The subculture of violence theory is also examined and is used to help understand the differences in perceptions and experiences of these two groups of women. The argument is made that Aboriginal women have qualitatively different perceptions of both battery and the police response to their calls of battery due to the historical legacy of colonization of Aboriginal people in Canada.<p>The data were gathered via a questionnaire and in-person interviews which asked women respondents a wide variety of questions pertaining to their perceptions and experiences with battery, and any police involvement. The questionnaires obtained background information about respondents, responses to a 5 point Likert scale of attitudinal statements pertaining to battery and policing, and responses to specific questions which requested written responses. <p>Analysis of the quantitative data involved descriptive presentation examining relationships between the independent variable ethnic background and dependent variables, as indicated by the 25 questionnaire items, using bivariate distributions. The qualitative data were thematically coded and examined.<p>Importantly, the study revealed that there are significant differences between the perceptions of Aboriginal and white inner-city women. Aboriginal women were found to much more tolerant of abuse from their male partners, and were less likely to call the police in a time of crisis. It was also found that many Aboriginal women had very negative experiences with the police which further disadvantaged them when dealing with battery situations.

This study seeks to investigate the underlying ideologies and practices behind the perception that women who are in command positions are unable to command and control, especially those who are in the operational environment. The study was executed in the Eastern Cape Province (Eastern Cape), in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM). The research participants (respondents) were constituted by 33 police officers from diverse police stations within the BCM. The participants were divided according to gender, i.e. 24 females and 9 males. With regards to objectives of the study, the aim was to investigate the following issues: i) to understand factors that make women not to be accepted in their positions as SAPS' operational commanders, by their male subordinateslcolleagues and community members. ii) To understand factors that make women not to be accepted in their positions as SAPS' operational commanders, by their male subordinates/colleagues and community members, and iii) to explore strategies to utilize in making SAPS' women operational commanders, survive while managing their day-te-day respective units/components effectively and efficiently. Regarding research design, this study mainly used a qualitative research method combined with a bit of a quantitative approach. And then the data collection method involved making use of semi structured interviews to all the respondents. The results of this study show that there is still a huge difference in the number of women who are commanders compared to their male counterparts, especially in those environments that were previously regarded as male dominated. Further, despite the necessary training being provided by the SAPS to women officers, the necessary support in particular from management is still a challenge. Lastly, the argument of this study is that there is still not a fair representation of women in command positions within the SAPS, especially, in the previously male dominated environments.

Women's empowerment in the police sector as leaders is an important study that has received little attention in the literature. Understanding the problems and hurdles, as well as solutions to empower women police today as leaders in the police force, was the emphasis of the study. The goal of this research was to investigate the concept of female police empowerment in the Abu Dhabi Police. This study looks at the important elements of empowerment for ADHGHQ women police, as well as the problems they encounter because of their gender in a historically male-dominated industry. The following four research questions served as a guide: 1) To what extent the principles of empowerment are implemented of women police in the ADPGHQ? 2) What is the impact of empowerment implementation on leadership of women police in the ADPGHQ? 3) What is the impact of empowerment implementation on skills of women police in the ADPGHQ? 4) What is the impact of empowerment implementation on the abilities of women police in the ADPGHQ? An in-depth survey and personnel meeting were conducted with women police operating in all ADPGHQ sectors to have a better grasp the issue. The data collection and analysis paradigms used in the research investigation were quantitative. The core data is gathered through questionnaires and personal meetings with a group of 650 female police officers from various sectors who work at the Abu Dhabi Police (ADHGHQ). Data was gathered via e-mail, and personnel were present. This research finishes with practice recommendations for strengthening police leadership in the ADPGHQ and removing real and perceived barriers to women's full involvement in the workforce and leadership. A proposal method was established to improve the position of women's police empowerment in leadership, according to the study. This approach is intended to empower female police officers in positions of leadership at ADPGHQ, but it can also be used as a general conceptual framework to empower women in other police sectors. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that women police require empowerment to achieve the desired leadership position.

Syftet med studien var att utforska vilka erfarenheter och upplevelser kvinnliga polisstudenter hade av kön och genus under polisutbildningen. Data samlades in genom intervjuer med fyra kvinnliga polisstudenter. Materialet analyserades därefter utifrån den kvalitativa analysmetoden tematisk analys. Ur den tematiska analysen konstruerades fyra huvudteman: Bilden av en polis, Den kvinnliga polisen, Uppfattningar om jämlikhet samt Genusfrågornas plats på polisutbildningen. Studiens deltagare målade upp en komplex bild kring hur de upplevde att en kvinnlig polisstudent “skall vara”. Vissa slutsatser som denna studie drar faller i linje med tidigare forskning inom området. Detta då det föreföll som att föreställningar och normer för hur en polis “skall vara” fortsätter att påverka de kvinnliga studenterna på polisutbildningen. Vidare resultat från denna studie visar på att kvinnliga polisstudenter upplevde att den pågående rörelsen inom polisutbildningen mot ett mjukare förhållningssätt med högre värdering av traditionellt mer feminina egenskaper var positivt märkbar.

This study explores the representation of women in leadership positions in Metropolitan Police Departments (MPDs). Historically, the police career was male dominated and women were not allowed to work in the police. Democracy, changes in law, and societal beliefs opened policing as a career to women. Various legal frameworks provide for gender equality, therefore equal gender representation in the workplace is a developmental goal in South Africa. The Commission on Employment Equity (CEE, 2015) of South Africa reported that women comprised 44.8% of the economically active population, yet males were still in charge of senior management positions in South African companies. The 2015 South African Employment Equity Report indicates that women hold only 29.5% of top level management positions and 30.7% of senior management positions (CEE, 2015). These results are lower than the government’s mandated target of 44.4% management positions reserved for women. The MPDs (2017) indicated that, out of a sample of 600 women, 91 are in leadership positions. The current gender representation in MPDs’ leadership positions forms this study’s problem statement. This study is qualitative in nature. Twenty-five South African women from the Gauteng Province from Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, and Johannesburg MPDs were interviewed. The transformative approach was used to inquire on participants’ experiences and views about gender representation, as well as women’s advancement to leadership positions in the MPDs. Data were analysed using Atlas.ti™. The results showed that culture, stereotypes, and physical fitness were perceived as barriers that hindered the representation of women in leadership positions. Furthermore, sexual and verbal harassment, bullying, discrimination against female officers at the workplace, and unimplemented policies and procedures were also hindrances. The participants recommended that the South African MPDs review human resource practices and policies to promote a positive and constructive work environment for all employees. / Police Practice / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

Studies on the career paths of municipal police officers have revealed an emergence of four distinct phases which officers pass through during their professional careers, phases where the perception of their profession changes. These phases are more constant at the patrol officer level where most officers begin and finish their career. Among these four phases is the disillusion phase (between 6 and 13 years), where the expectations at work are not met. The perception of the police administration, the public and the criminal justice system, all become negative and the hope for promotions diminish. These studies were mainly conducted in a period where there were very few or no women in policing. Through a feminist perspective and a social constructionist theoretical framework, this thesis makes the hypothesis that because women have different expectations at work, a varying work/life balance and a contrasting aspiration to attain positions of power, women will live this second phase differently. To explore this hypothesis, data was collected from ten semi-structured interviews with female patrol officers having worked between 6 and 13 years in municipal police departments. A discourse analysis effectively shows significant differences for the reasons underlying our hypotheses. Even if they have some frustrations about certain aspects of their work, we did not see any disillusionment from any women in this phase.

This dissertation analyzed the daily life of policewomen who work in operational service of the military police of Sergipe. Sought to understand the strategies proposed by the power relations established in the context of work, in order to list possible situations of disrespect and discrimination, considering the model of manhood still be prevalent in everyday police practices. The search took as central proposal of work performed by women police officers who are embedded in the operating units, as is the case of shock Battalion, unit observed by analyzing the dynamics that emerge from social relationships. In this sense, the problem took place around understanding how the work of women in operational units, which are places constructed microwave counter action in your templates, or is seen as male strongholds, is characterized in the context of gender and power relations that are established. In addition to the observations in the field, nine interviews were conducted with women who work or worked in operational policing. The dissertation was structured in three chapters. The first deals with the conditions for the inclusion of women in the police, the aspects involving the socialization process specific police institutions. Also presented are the pillars that upholds this order and the parameters that support the power relationships that develop. Gender issues are discussed, as well as the Justice of the quest for social recognition. The second chapter presents a general approach of studies on women in police institutions, women in the world of work, reaching typically masculine professions. It then presents the Military Police context of Sergipe, the insertion of women police officers, a brief history of shock Battalions Brazil level and Sergipe, their everyday actions to reach the theoretical approaches that address the standards and procedures necessary for the proper functioning of the operational units as well as the skills/abilities required for the performance of police work imposed to that body. In the third chapter, prioritize the gender social relations that are established under the DPO from data obtained in the research in order to understand them in accordance with the established theoretical parameters. This dissertation allows you to show that the participation of working women is wrapped by the operational PM diversity of established powers, by the non-recognition of certain actions at the expense of maintaining the current model of masculinity, but also points to new ways of doing the policing. Women unite to the model already established, extending them artfully with the female attributes such as flexibility and attention. With this increase the mobility of actions, innovating and surprising labour practices and in social interactions. / Esta dissertação analisou o cotidiano das mulheres policiais que atuam no serviço operacional da Polícia Militar de Sergipe. Procurou compreender as estratégias propostas pelas relações de força estabelecidas no âmbito de trabalho, a fim de elencar possíveis situações de desrespeito e discriminação, haja vista o modelo de masculinidade ainda ser predominante no cotidiano das práticas policiais. A pesquisa teve como proposta central o estudo do trabalho realizado por mulheres policiais que estão inseridas nas unidades operacionais, como é o caso do Batalhão de Choque, unidade observada, analisando, portanto, as dinâmicas que emergem das relações sociais de gênero. Nesse sentido, a problemática se deu em torno de compreender como o trabalho da mulher nas unidades operacionais, que são lugares construídos de modo masculinizado em seus modelos de ação, ou seja, vistos como redutos masculinos, se caracteriza no âmbito das relações de gênero e poder que ali são estabelecidas. Além das observações no campo, foram realizadas nove entrevistas com mulheres que atuam ou atuaram no policiamento operacional. A dissertação foi estruturada em três capítulos. O primeiro trata das condicionantes para a inserção das mulheres nas polícias, os aspectos que envolvem o processo de socialização específico das instituições policiais. São apresentados também os pilares que sustêm esta ordem e os parâmetros que sustentam as relações de poder que ali se desenvolvem. São discutidas as questões de gênero, bem como as de justiça que suscitam a busca por reconhecimento social. O segundo capítulo apresenta uma abordagem geral dos estudos sobre mulheres nas instituições policiais, mulheres no mundo do trabalho, chegando às profissões tipicamente masculinas. Em seguida, apresenta o contexto Polícia Militar de Sergipe, a inserção das mulheres policiais, um breve histórico dos Batalhões de Choque no Brasil e de Sergipe, suas ações cotidianas até chegar às abordagens teóricas que tratam dos padrões e procedimentos necessários ao bom funcionamento das unidades operacionais bem como as competências/habilidades necessárias ao desempenho do trabalho policial instituídas para aquele corpo social. No terceiro capítulo, priorizam-se as relações sociais de gênero que se estabelecem no âmbito do policiamento ostensivo a partir dos dados obtidos na pesquisa, de modo a compreendê-las segundo os parâmetros teóricos estabelecidos. Esta dissertação permite mostrar que a participação das mulheres no trabalho operacional da PM está envolta pela diversidade de poderes estabelecidos, pelo não reconhecimento de determinadas ações em detrimento da manutenção do modelo de masculinidade vigente, mas também aponta novas formas de fazer o policiamento. As mulheres se aliam ao modelo já estabelecido, ampliando-os astuciosamente com os atributos femininos, tais como flexibilidade e atenção. Com isso aumentam a mobilidade das ações, inovando e surpreendendo nas práticas laborais e nas interações sociais.

Studies on the career paths of municipal police officers have revealed an emergence of four distinct phases which officers pass through during their professional careers, phases where the perception of their profession changes. These phases are more constant at the patrol officer level where most officers begin and finish their career. Among these four phases is the disillusion phase (between 6 and 13 years), where the expectations at work are not met. The perception of the police administration, the public and the criminal justice system, all become negative and the hope for promotions diminish. These studies were mainly conducted in a period where there were very few or no women in policing. Through a feminist perspective and a social constructionist theoretical framework, this thesis makes the hypothesis that because women have different expectations at work, a varying work/life balance and a contrasting aspiration to attain positions of power, women will live this second phase differently. To explore this hypothesis, data was collected from ten semi-structured interviews with female patrol officers having worked between 6 and 13 years in municipal police departments. A discourse analysis effectively shows significant differences for the reasons underlying our hypotheses. Even if they have some frustrations about certain aspects of their work, we did not see any disillusionment from any women in this phase.

La violence contre les policiers a des répercussions importantes à la fois chez les policiers et pour les administrateurs de la police. En 2005, le taux canadien de voies de fait contre la police a atteint son plus haut sommet en plusieurs décennies, faisant état d’une situation préoccupante. Plusieurs provinces canadiennes connaissent d’ailleurs une hausse marquée de la violence contre leurs policiers depuis plusieurs années. Cette étude vise donc à examiner et à comprendre l’évolution du phénomène de violence contre les policiers au Canada par l’identification de facteurs qui pourraient expliquer les variations du taux de voies de fait contre les policiers. La méthode d’analyse privilégiée dans le cadre de cette étude est une analyse transversale de séries chronologiques regroupées (pooled time series) qui traite des données portant sur les dix provinces canadiennes pour une période allant de 1986 à 2006. Les résultats indiquent que plusieurs facteurs ont un impact sur la violence dont sont victimes les policiers : la proportion de la population âgée entre 15 et 24 ans, la proportion d’hommes de 15 ans et plus, la proportion de la population vivant dans une région urbaine, la proportion de gens divorcés, les taux résiduels de crimes de violence et de crimes rattachés aux drogues, et le nombre d’évasions et de personnes en liberté sans excuse. La présence croissante de policières, qui fait encore l’objet de débats, semble quant à elle réduire le nombre de voies de fait contre la police, quoique l’impact de ce facteur soit de faible portée. Au Québec, la une hausse importante du taux de voies de fait contre les policiers pourrait s’expliquer par la hausse de plusieurs facteurs identifiés comme jouant un rôle dans le phénomène, bien qu’il ne faille pas écarter qu’un changement dans la reportabilité puisse entrer en ligne de compte. / Violence against police officers has important implications both for police officers and police administration. In 2005, the Canadian rate of assault against police officers rose to its highest in decades, showing a worrying situation. Moreover, several Canadian provinces are experiencing a marked increase in violence against their police officers for several years. This study aims to examine and understand the trend of violence against the police officers in Canada by identifying factors affecting the rate of assaults against police officers. In order to do so, a pooled time series analysis, which processes data on the ten Canadian provinces for the period from 1986 to 2006, was performed. Findings indicate that several factors have an impact on the violence against the police: the proportion of young people aged 15-24, the proportion of males aged 15 and more, the proportion of population living in urban areas, the proportion of divorced people, the residual rates of violent crimes and drug crimes, and the number of people who escaped custody and prisoners unlawfully at large. The growing presence of women police officers, which is still debated, appears to reduce the number of assaults against police officers, although the impact of this factor is of limited scope. In Quebec, the continual increase in the rate of assaults against the police officers can possibly be explained by the increase of several factors identified as playing a role in the phenomenon, although a change in crime reporting can also be taken into account.