Police Subcultures

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Sexual Assault

Sexual harassment is not something that is openly discussed in the police subculture (13,14,15). This is for many reasons. One, within the masculine department, females are not likely to come forward and suggest a colleague has committed a crime for many reasons mentioned above. This not only creates strain in the department, but as a female who is trying to adapt to the norms of the policing subculture, it would only hinder their ability to do so. Over the course of many studies, it is evident that most female officers believe they have been victims of discrimination based on their sex (13,14,15). Many studies suggest that the majority of female officers have experienced what they suggested was a “constant atmosphere” of …show more content…

If the female is not taken seriously they are more likely to feel inadequate and like they cannot do their job properly. This is very dangerous in the policing subculture. If officers are not taking another officer seriously, there can be consequences not only for the department but also for society. For instance, Catherine Galliford is an ex RCMP officer. She had worked on many of Canada’s largest cases. In an interview, she discussed how she was sexually harassed and bullied by her senior officers and explained that the levels of sexism within the RCMP not only ruined her health, but hindered many major cases because her evidence was not being taken seriously (17). Further, she goes on to express that “every woman in the RCMP has experienced some form of harassment in her career” (17). It is a continuous cycle of women being put into a subculture where they are expected to prove their abilities as a police officer, as well as dealing with sexual harassment that cant be dealt with without potentially facing consequence (). Women often feel that complaining will lead to ostracising and further repercussions, legitimizing why this cycle keeps occurring. Where one does not report sexual harassment, only continues to show the police service is tolerable towards it. Women are far more likely to try …show more content…

It is important to remember that not all police forces are at their worst with gender inequality, discrimination and sexual harassment. There is however, a long way to go. One way to do this would be reconstructing the training academy police are required to go through. As of now, this reflects a paramilitary model. Policing is not just about crime fighting, but it is also important to implement community-policing ideals. There have already been changes such as the “police force” now being referred to as the “police service”(). Additional courses on empathy and communication would be very beneficial when officers are in the field. If police academies have the opportunity to take an officer and build them from the ground up, it would make sense to provide them with the techniques to not just police communities but be able to be communicative and not just reflective of the policing “norms”. This can also be done with positive conversations about team building and sexual harassment awareness. Next, it is important to break down the barriers about mental health and wellness. This is not something that an effects just victim of discrimination and sexual assault. Mental health and wellness is something that a lot of people struggle with and the more it is discussed, the more it is understood and accepted. Hopefully with the right education, not all officers will feel it means you

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