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

Question

Or do you believe that while they may be smart enough and can run fast enough ... they just aren't physically strong enough to do their job just as well as their male counterparts?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Being a police officer transcends sex. It takes a certain kind of PERSON to be a cop, regardless of your sex. There are men and women who don't have what it takes, mentally or physically. Departments have long application processes and know how to weed out the good candidates from the bad.

We've all seen videos where male officers get violently assaulted. They are not immune to bullets and neither are females.

As far as the physical testing goes, the tests are different because men and women are physically different. The point of the testing requirements are to make sure each person is physically fit.

I work at a prison where a female officer was beaten to death by three inmates in an escape attempt. Every male on that compound who worked there at the time has said to me that if it had been a male officer, they'd be dead, too.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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!

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

Being a female officer I would say that I am capable of doing my job. Are there people who are more capable than me? Of course there are. This applies to male officers as well. In my service we have a range of sizes in officers. I know of one male officer who is 5'8" and about 130 pounds soaking wet. We also have an officer who is 6'5" 250lbs. He would certainly be more "capable" in certain circumstances. There will always be someone more capable than you in any circumstance.
We also have a woman who is 6'1".
Just because in certain circumstances I won't be as "capable" in certain circumstances won't mean I can't or shouldn't do the job.
This would also apply to any job, some firefighters (male or female ) aren't as strong as other firefighters. As long as they pass the basic qualifications (as do female firefighters and police officers) then they should be allowed to do the job.

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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!