Which force is best for females.

[rcmphopeful]

Hi,
I was hoping someone could shed some light on which forces are known for treating their female officers the best ( ie. not allowing sexual harrassment, not penalizing them for having families, etc.) I have heard rumors that certain forces are well known for treating females poorly due to the overall mentality that makes up the force. Any info that can be provided on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Charlie]

Well, I guess that would depend upon one's point of view about what constitutes being "treated the best." Judging from your name, I suspect you may have your sites set on the RCMP. Personally, I don't know much about them and cannot give you an assessment about how good/bad females are treated at that agency.

I think it is difficult, at best, to try and determine which department is "better" than one department or another with regards to how females are treated. And again, I think it depends upon WHAT a person views to be good or bad treatment. Personally, I think in some instances, this issue is inappropriately categorized into "harassment" when, in fact, it is not. Course, this is meant to be a very broad speaking statement. But I would also think that since harassment has become a major work force issue, you'll likely find that most departments likely view sexual harassment issues and females very seriously. BUT, if you become a cop and get on the streets, what you encounter out there is probably 10x's worse!

Best answer I can think of right now off the top of my head...
--
Charlie

[RyanSales]

rcmphopeful,

While I have no experience with other forces, I can say I have seen minimal gender related issues in the RCMP.

The RCMP is committed from the top to be representative of the demographics of the Canadian population, and that includes both race and gender.

From a practical perspective, I know of regions/detachments where the female member population is around 25-35%! For an organization that has only been accepting female members for approximately 30 years, that is fantastic! I work for Red Deer Rural RCMP in Alberta, and when I visit Red Deer City detachment sometimes, almost all the members are females.

And as for how women are "treated", to date I personally have not witnessed any gender based harrassment or discrimination. In fact, the only NEGATIVE thing I've ever heard about female members has been from female members themselves!

As a disclaimer, I will say that there is gender discrimination out there in the RCMP....there is in ANY organization. However, the RCMP has checks and balances in place to detect and quickly eliminate those issues. Quite simply, it isn't tolerated in an organization founded on Honesty, Integrity, Professionalism, Compassion, Accountability, and Respect!!!

Good luck with your application process.

RY

[justpassingby]

WHile I agree with Ryan that the majority of the men on the force don't have any issues with most women cops, there is, as he stated, still gender bias in the Force. I know a female member who was the lone female in her posting (5 members total I believe) and they forced her out in less than a year. The Sgt was the major instigator of the situation. Granted this is second hand knowledge, but she was harassed pretty hard, and all the Force would do was transfer her to another posting. As far as I know there was no repercussions on the other members involved...Food for thought.

[RyanSales]

Problem is, most of those Sgts were probably in the force when it was male only, and it's hard to teach some old dogs new tricks.

However, most of those members are retiring, and most members in the force have always had women in the force...so it will only get better with time.

Cheers,
RY

[rcmphopeful]

Hi,
Thanks for all the reply's. Why I asked is that although the RCMP is my first choice I have been considering other forces (primarily in the lower mainland of B.C.) and have been hearing things about the VPD not treating their female members very well and there being an overall negative vibe against female officers in the department as a whole. I was hoping someone could provide some light on the conditions in departments other then the RCMP. Thanks again for all your reply's.

[policehopefull]

Hi RCMP hopefull,
If you're considering lowermainland and still want to know more, I know that New West isn't the greatest at all for females. I have heard that a few of their females members want out and also researched noting that there has only been one female promotion (to SGT) in over 10 years...They are a very small political police force with a ton of male domination "upstairs" so to speak, so if your looking, I wouldn't recommend them.
As for the RCMP, my close friend is a member and she has had an excellent experience in her detachment as well as when she wasd at Depot.
I personally wouldn't choose which department based on how well they treat their females, but essentially, where your looking to go and what you would like to do with your career. RCMP hands down offers a ton of movement and opportunity, not like some smaller forces in the lowermainland like VPD or New West....
either way, if your dream is to be a member/police officer, good luck and all the best!

Hi,
Thanks for all the reply's. Why I asked is that although the RCMP is my first choice I have been considering other forces (primarily in the lower mainland of B.C.) and have been hearing things about the VPD not treating their female members very well and there being an overall negative vibe against female officers in the department as a whole. I was hoping someone could provide some light on the conditions in departments other then the RCMP. Thanks again for all your reply's.[/quote]

[YC]

Never heard anything about VPD not treating their female officer well. In fact, I have the utmost confidence in that department and with Delta Police as well.

I had asked this questions to people I know of over and over again and the best answer I get is this:

" This is an old boy club and no matter what it would never change. The only problem I see is that some female officer just want to take advantage of being female and therefore didn't earn the respect from the peers. " This is from a female Sgt. that I know of.

Although I did not face any discrimination so far, I do noticed that I have to work twice as hard to get into the process. It's a long journey but it's worth it.