Recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in policing: Lessons learned from the IAWP Gender-Responsive Policing Summit

Authors

Jessica Huff, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Samantha S. Clinkinbeard, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Rachael Rief, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Brenna Dunlap, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Inès Zamouri, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
Lexi Goodijohn, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Caroline Meenagh, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
Champ Champenstein, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Jane Townsley, International Association of Women Police
Mirko Fernandez, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
Jessica Swanson, Nebraska Association of Women Police & Omaha Police Department

Author ORCID Identifier

Clinkinbeard - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1839-2877

Reif - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1628-0169

Rhodes - https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8710-7850

Goodijohn - https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6230-3763

Huff - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8123-1470

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2-2024

Publication Title

Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice

Volume

18

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae013

Abstract

Despite persistent support for increasing gender diversity in US policing, women remain underrepresented. Yet, barriers to women in policing are not universal. Many police organizations in the USA and internationally have implemented promising gender-responsive approaches. The International and Nebraska Associations of Women Police (IAWP/NAWP) and UN Women convened a Gender-Responsive Policing Summit to share successful efforts to improve recruitment, retention, promotion, and wellness of women in policing. Researchers conducted systematic observations of Summit sessions, paying particular attention to solutions offered to advance gender-responsive policing. This instrumental case study summarizes lessons learned based on multistage inductive coding of Summit observation notes. Themes emerged around strategic planning and data use, leadership and promotion, health and wellness policies, associations, and support initiatives. This study provides real-world strategies police agencies can use to improve gender diversity, informed by police professionals committed to improving women’s experiences in policing on an international scale.

Comments

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice following peer review. The version of record [insert complete citation information here] is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae013

Recommended Citation

Jessica Huff, Samantha S Clinkinbeard, Rachael M Rief, Brenna Dunlap, Inès Zamouri, Lexi Goodijohn, Caroline Meenagh, Champ Champenstein, Jane Townsley, Mirko Fernandez, Jessica Swanson, Recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in policing: Lessons learned from the IAWP Gender-Responsive Policing Summit, Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, Volume 18, 2024, paae013, https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae013