Women's Problems In Law Enforcment

[stevenb]

I was in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for over 21 years (1965 to 1986) and worked many of the stations and at length in south central Los Angeles. During these times I saw the changes that took place with women in law enforcement: how they were treated, less training, sexual harrassment, etc. was the norm in the old days and then it began to change. I even wrote a novel about many of the problems that women faced during theses years and it was published in 2002. The book, The Firestone Syndrome, I believe, gives a valid and accurate account of the "old days". I would like to hear from women currently in law enforcement and women who experienced these old days and compare. I think the accounts of the old days as compared to the current times will be dramatic. But, is there still harrassment? Are women still treated differently? Do men feel women are equals? I think this is a great discussion area to see how far we've come in the past 40 years.

[Smurfette_76]

Don't come here to promote your book. It's tacky. I am curious how a man writes a book detailing women in LE, though. You can only regurgitate what you've been told...you still won't ever "get it" (I don't mean that as an insult, btw, so please don't take it that way).

[dannmann1050]

Nice Smurf.. go get em'...hehe

[Multi Tasker]

Don't come here to promote your book. It's tacky. I am curious how a man writes a book detailing women in LE, though. You can only regurgitate what you've been told...you still won't ever "get it" (I don't mean that as an insult, btw, so please don't take it that way).

Smurf,

Maybe we read it wrong. He said he wrote it ABOUT women, maybe he meant he wrote it to ATTRACT women. Uhhhhhh, no!

Strike One!

[stevenb]

How do I know about women in LE?

First, I'm not trying to promote the book. Don't buy it, don't read it. I used that only to make a point that women in LE over the past 40 years has really made a change. How do I know? Because I worked with them and for them. One of my captains was a woman. When I was a watch commander in south central L.A. I made the first female training officer at Firestone Sheriff's Station. I saw how this really great lady cop changed with the pressure put on her by the other training officers. I saw several ladies come to the station and end up wanting to transfer out because of the treatment they received from not only the men, but other women. I think this is an interesting subject.

[L-1]

Anyone?

[LAChief]

I made the first female training officer at Firestone Sheriff's Station

Did she look like the Cylon #6 from Battlestar Galactica? Oh I hope so, she was hot!!!

[Smurfette_76]

First, I'm not trying to promote the book. Don't buy it, don't read it. I used that only to make a point that women in LE over the past 40 years has really made a change. How do I know? Because I worked with them and for them. One of my captains was a woman. When I was a watch commander in south central L.A. I made the first female training officer at Firestone Sheriff's Station. I saw how this really great lady cop changed with the pressure put on her by the other training officers. I saw several ladies come to the station and end up wanting to transfer out because of the treatment they received from not only the men, but other women. I think this is an interesting subject.

How does mentioning your book show that this career has changed for women over the last 40 years? It doesn't. You plugged it, plain and simple. Do you know that you come across as patronizing when you dare to say that you know what its like because you worked alongside us? Perhaps its just me, but...I have no use for that. It's like someone giving you parenting advice...then you find out they don't have children.

[BaldOldWhiteGuy]

My sergeant when I first came on told me about what happened here when 'policewomen' became police officers. He gave a stern lecture to the guys before the first two women showed up on the precinct. He warned them that in no uncertain terms were they to treat the women any differently then they would a new guy. They were cops, and that was that.

So, the guys did just what the sergeant said. They treated them the same way they treated any new guys. They screwed with them, they put dead animals in their cars, they sent them on fake runs, and they made fun of them constantly.

So, the women sued for sexual harassment and the city settled...

[CurlyQ]

Well, I think it's a valid topic of discussion. Maybe it is a plug, but I didn't sense that. I'm certainly not rushing out to buy the book. I am by no means a "women's libber," and I don't want to be treated any differently or receive any breaks because I am a woman.

I work for a fairly small agency, 40 or 50 sworn. I certainly notice a difference in how the women are treated as opposed to the men. However, I take the attitude that it is what it is. Sometimes it bothers me, but most times I don't give a royal poo. I know I do my share, and usually more than my share, and I do it well . . . I dare say better than many of the men on our department. I don't think I'll ever get recognized for it, but that doesn't bother me much. I'm proud of what I do and that is enough.

CQ

[ssMarilyn]

I don't know if it's a plug or not, only the poster knows that. I think we can be a little nicer....

[az4code23]

I have never had a problem with women, on or off duty! I love women in fact, and that's the truth!

[az4code23]

By the way your stephen beeler???

[Jiu-Jitsu Cop]

Hey plug or not I am guessing that Stevenb is an old Firestone Viking. Do you have the tattoo on you. Did you finish your career at Century Station?

[LA DEP]

Hey plug or not I am guessing that Stevenb is an old Firestone Viking. Do you have the tattoo on you. Did you finish your career at Century Station?

Wrong station.....that was Lynwood.....