‘We’re Always Handed the Children’: Women Finding Belonging in Policing

Abstract The purpose of the research was to examine whether policewomen have carved out their place and developed a sense of belonging in the profession, or whether they are faced with disrespect, self-doubt, and pressure to adopt constructed gender roles. The study employed in-depth, qualitative interviews with sixteen women police officers. Emergent themes suggested that overt discrimination and harassment is uncommon, but women do report the continued need to prove themselves. While all have carved out a place for themselves in the profession and most reported acceptance and belonging, several expressed concerns that they are pigeonholed into roles based on their gender. With nationwide challenges to recruit more women into policing, this study provides insights into ways women have integrated and the barriers they may still face.