Do you feel that female cops are just as capable as their male counterparts?

deus ex machina

I've known a lot of female cops and like their male counterparts they break down into 3 types.

1. Competent, skilled and can do the job as well as anyone.
2. Mediocre, very small percentage.
3. Got the badge and will do anything to stay out of the field. Unfortunately it's this type that tend to hurt the reputation of female officers. Sadly, many of these use their gender as a means to stay out of the field.

I'm a big supporter of women in law enforcement. They have a take on things that we men will miss, just as we have a take that they might miss. Different experiences allow for different views and interpretations and the more you have, the less you will miss and the more complete a picture you get.

We all run into criminals that are beyond our individual abilities to arrest alone. Any cop that thinks he or she is a "one man" force is a cop in line to get hurt and to be candid, I really don't know of any like this. Backup is a major staple in our field, that's why we so stringently come to the aid of one another in our career and often our lives. In the departments I've worked for when a cop is sick, hurt, has a baby, whatever happens, we rally together to help and support. This applies to physical abilities in the field too. That's one of the things I love about the job.

Having said this though, there are those men and women that are too small for this career. I have seen both that couldn't reach the gas & brake pedals in a cruiser without blocks and couldn't even handle the weapons. This isn't a gender consideration as much as basic physics.

Lt. Dan reborn

I am biased in this question because I was a cop 21 years and my sister is still a cop. She is over 45 years old and can still run marathons and weight trains daily. She would probably put a spankin' on most of the wiseguys who doubt female officer's abillities.
I have also worked with some female officers who are small, weak and scared when we went on calls. I have also worked with some male cops who were small, weak and scared when we were on calls.
Fortunately we usually get rid of the weak, scared cops, except for the ones who become Chiefs of Police... and you kow who you are!

bisquedog

Yes Some are actually better at the job than their male counterparts

Cute T Pie

I work for a police department and there are some female officers that are tougher than male officers. They are more than capable of doing the job.

Sassygirlzmom

There are plenty of female cops that are stronger than their male counterparts.

Sarahsmama

I have a lot of cop friends, both male and female. Everyone goes the same exact rigorous physical and mental training. They are all part of the blue brotherhood, and they all do their jobs exceedingly well.

Thomas J

i've seen some wimpy and out of shape male cops.

timc_fla

I don't know that, that is so much of an issue.
How many overweight and slow cops have you seen?
How many skinny little cops have you seen?
On average I would say the typical woman is not quite as strong as the typical man.
However, personally i don't think this is a hindrance.
The bigger problem is how a suspect views you.

bostonianinmo

They're just as capable - and sometimes more so. I've watched female officers defuse situations where a male officer was actually exacerbating the situation simply because he was approaching things from the male perspective.

Physical strength isn't the only qualification. And a person who is physically weaker than another can still prevail if they've been properly trained.

I've had my @$$ beat twice by a woman. Once in a martial arts class by a 90 lb whisp of a girl who knew her stuff and once by a 6 foot druggie on PCP. It took six of us to subdue the PCP head even after both of her arms were broken -- and all six of us spent a couple of days in the hospital.

Dew

I feel that a women is just as good as a man we just have differnt parts.

tom

yes ovcours they are some times there better then male ''cops'' i know female ''cops'' that are better than me at my job

Danagasta

They would have to be just as capable, otherwise they wouldn't have the position. I'm surprised there's even a question regarding that, as the standards are so similar.

Patrick M

there are a lot of things that you have to look at. Females may not be as strong as males, but strength is not the issue. While i was bar tending I watch a female cop, that couldn't have weighed more than 130 pounds make a 250 pound man cry. arm bars and pressure points are great things. statistically speaking women are also better at shooting. i used to teach an NRA class for kids. of the people that have never shot a gun before the girls were the best. at the end of the 4 week class, while the boys had improved the girls had improved far more. the other thing is that girls, have more common sense, this becomes apparent if you ever play paintball. girls will find cover before shooting at some one. they will also use the cover more. guys will think they are big and bad and present a large target. with girls you are lucky if you get more than their gun and half of their face to shoot at.

whitesoxr1

Being a former female cop myself, I would say yes. Because police officers are still mostly male, females have to work harder and prove themselves more. Female police officers tend to bring a certain compassion to the job where some male officers are more aggressive. It all depends on the situation. Of course most male officers are physically stronger, but strength is not always required in situations where intelligence, tact and a willingness to see both sides is a factor.

ALEXANDER Z

They have the same capabilities but they are not such physically strong and agressive... I've never seen a woman in a SWAT team so i believe that they could be smartet than man but as far as the brutal force is concerned we can admitt that there must be a difference...

angel007

I've known of a female cop who is smarter than a male cop.

chrystalbryeans

absolutely. May not be as strong as a man sometimes but they look at all points to a crime and can sort things out better

hellion210

well, that depends on the individuals.

i've studied martial arts for a long time, and there were a few women there that were easily 50 lbs less than me, and they could take down someone twice their size with ease.

also, i've seen a few male police officers that were very small guys, both in height and body mass.

but overall, i do feel that size does help in many situations, police often deal with ppl that are drugged up and incoherent, and in that case a person is more likely to go along peacefully with someone who's 6'4 and 250 lbs than he is with a 5'6 125 lb woman.

ally_oop_64

I'm sure that females cops are very capable of doing there jobs. I don't think its a male or female thing. Its all based on individual skill, intelligence, and motivation. I live in Montana. OK. On some highways here you can travel a very long time and never see anyone. Just miles and miles of countryside. This is something that happened around 20 years ago. A lone female state trooper. (That's Highway Patrol for those of you who don't understand). This lone female state trooper pulled over a vehicle with 2 individuals on a desolate highway in northeast Montana. These 2 individuals over powered the trooper, handcuffed her to the bumper of her car, stripped her naked, and left her there. It could have been far worse. Just consider that.

Lemme tell ya...

I feel that all to often, women are given a bad rap in the law enforcement and fire field. I don't agree with the fact that a women can take the physical test for these departments and have lower standards then their male counterparts, but expect to be standing 'shoulder to shoulder' and do the same exact tasks! I was enrolled in school for fire science, and on my way to becoming a fire fighter, but when I came across some lazy females, I become turned off to the idea. And then when I found out about the test standards being different, I absolutly refused to be a part of it. Until they can be fair and have the same physical test for EVERYONE, I refuse to do it, and loose respect for the women that do get by with the lower standard. I refuse to fill a quota. Sure, don't get me wrong, I am all about 'power to the female' but you gotta do something to earn that power. But, think about the tests in school, they don't give an easier test to the less intelligent kids, in hopes that they will pass. It's just not right!! Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now!

Joe C

They're capable and smart, but their role is not on the street, in my humble opinion - that is... having to deal with hardened and dangerous male criminals.

I was just watching "Lockup" on the cable TV and a female corrections officer was attacked and beaten within an inch of her life. This is just not right, again in my opinion.

I also feel the same way about women in the military. They're valuable and it's honorable for them to serve...but they really shouldn't be on the front lines in combat.

luminosa

Yes! I think women police officers are just as capable as male police officers when it comes to being physically strong. With the martial arts training they have had, they can move mountains if they have too. Well that is a bit of an exaggeration. But, they can take down a muscular 300 pounder if they have too. I would trust my life in their hands if they had to defend me. And, confident we will win the battle. These women are well trained for their field. Those who do not qualify for this field are given different responsibilities that does not require hand to hand combat. How ever, don't misinterpret this. All of the women police officers are given martial arts training. And, if you cross a lady officer giving you a ticket. Beware, follow orders and keep your hands to yourself. She will put you down and call for back up which is most likely on the way already.

law138

Yes, except for the physical part of the job.

eldoradomaaan

lesbions need a job to

Ibredd

All sports recognize that the female is not as strong as the male. So why would anyone want a female partner in an ally at night

COOKIE MONSTER XD

They are not as aggressive.

johnQ

I would like to start by saying that I think females are great in law enforcement. In certain situations such as a female who has been raped, the victum is going to feel way more comfortable talking to a female. Also females tend to have an easier time with children. My question today is that Why are females requirments to be an officer easier than males? I know females are generally not as strong as males, but criminals run just as fast and they fight just as hard. I think it should be the same physical requirements for both genders. Like I said IM NOT AGAINST FEMALE OFFICERS!!!

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