3 of 4

Write now Article Tools

In 1995 I made a bold decision about my career. I was 20 years old and I decided that I wanted to be a police officer. At the time when I entered the Basic Law Enforcement Training Course there were three women in my class. My peers were all retired Army guys out for their second wind or young 20 year old men who were chomping at the bit to go gun totting. I think we were all there for different reasons, and we all had to prove something to someone, but this is what I can tell you about my training and the two years of on the job law enforcement work that followed.

School for me was invigorating. I loved the physical challenge, as well as the fact that by the 3rd
week of class, I was one of only two women left in the class. It gave me certain bragging rights. I never felt that my instructors expected less out of me because I was a woman, nor did they make exceptions for me during the more physical aspects of training. I found the whole time I was in training a great experience of equality, and a wonderful time of camaraderie. I graduated the only woman in my class with a job.
According to The Laconia Citizen, Stephanie Halter who is a Criminal Justice Professor at Plymouth State University was quoted as saying that women comprise only 11% of police officers, 24% of correctional officers and 25% of legal professionals across the country. Women are minorities in law enforcement.
Once hired I found things slightly more jaded. My prior profession was that of a manicurist. During the initial days of training, that of all the paperwork and schmoozing with city officials, I was told to "Ugly Up" or I'd never make it on the street. I found this a bit insulting, but I came to work the next day sans make up, and "ugly" and I instantly began to feel more the part. I was assigned a Training Officer, and so it began. I was sworn in, and I was to begin my rotating shifts with different areas of the department.It was decided that I could be put to good use in swaying rowdy prisoners to cooperate and come along peacefully. This was in part to my high pitched soprano voice, I did this for awhile. I would go along, and after my big, tough partner would make the initial arrest, it would be my job to "sweet talk" the prisoners to the vehicle and into the jail. I was also useful for when we had female prisoners as it was required to have a female officer present. I began to resent this arrangement. I felt I was being used, but not for my mind, or my ability, I was being used for what sex I was.
A few more moves around the department landed me with a k-nine unit which is when I started to see that it wasn't so much the department, but rather individuals in the department. My K-nine partner was genuinely a nice guy, who wasn't bothered by the fact that I was a woman. He didn't mind if I drove, or who got the arrest. No more "sweet talk". He believed that respect was earned and mutually given. He actually asked my opinion about how we should do things. Working was a new learning experience because he was always teaching me things as we worked.
I learned a lot from my years in law enforcement. Haler says that "Women not only can, but should work as police officers, correctional officers, lawyers, judges, wardens and firefighters." Law enforcement careers can reach into many different areas. Women are needed in this arena. For all of the reasons that the world needs males in this field, we also need women.

Learn more about this author, Amelia Tibbett.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Career opportunities for women in criminal justice?
We want to hear your view. Write now!