Title: Role of women in the management of police organisation: a paradigm shift

Authors: Satya Narayan Sabat, Sunita Mishra

Addresses: Indian Police Service, CRPF Group Centre, Bijnaur, Lucknow – 226002, (U.P.), India. ' Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow – 226020, India

Abstract: Notwithstanding the emancipation and advancements of women all over the world in 21st century, women continue to be under-represented in management positions. The role of women as managers encompassed even those areas of work, which were earlier considered to be strongly man|s domain like the police organisation. The objective of the study was to identify the hurdles and barriers prevalent all over the world at variable degrees for female police officers and also discuss the paradigm shift in the perception of the society towards women as police officers. The methodology of the study was a qualitative assessment of different studies conducted in several countries. Conclusions are based on subjective analysis of the studies. It was recommended that a balance may be established between achieving organisational objectives and meeting the individual needs of female employees in police department through formulation of policies, mentoring, networking and helping them to break the glass-ceiling.

Keywords: barriers; masculine nature; masculinity; men; women; gender; paradigm shifts; mentoring; policing; networking; glass ceiling; peer support; India; police forces; female emancipation; under-representation; management positions; managers; police officers; policewomen; social perceptions; organisational objectives; individual needs; female employees; policy formulation; learning; change.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2010.038770

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2010 Vol.4 No.4, pp.365 - 377

Published online: 02 Mar 2011 *

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