Proving Themselves: The Status of LGBQ Police Officers

Abstract

The policing occupation, a bastion of hegemonic masculinity, is well known for its historical resistance to “difference,” whether among its own members or in society at large. Nowhere does this clash manifest as strongly as when LGBQ police officers join the force. LGBQ individuals have made great strides in breaking down some beliefs of the traditional and rigid police occupational culture. Still, more progress remains to be made toward dismantling the barriers of heterosexism and sexism that often permeate policing. This article explores the history of these barriers, the progress made, and the structural and individual level obstacles that remain. Policy recommendations and suggestions for future research are also made.

Lesbian Police Officers’ Interpersonal Working Relationships and Sexuality Disclosure

“…Historically, police officers have been predominately White heterosexual males who overtly represent society’s male-specific expectations, roles, and attitudes (Miller & Lilley, 2014; Rabe-Hemp, 2009). These culturally expected gendered expressions of a heterosexual man include authority, physical strength, aggressiveness, and masculinity (Miller & Lilley, 2014; Myers, Forest, & Miller, 2004; Rabe-Hemp, 2009; Shelley, Morabito, & Tobin-Gurley, 2011), all of which contribute to the definition of what a “real policeMAN” is.…”

“…Historically, police officers have been predominately White heterosexual males who overtly represent society’s male-specific expectations, roles, and attitudes (Miller & Lilley, 2014; Rabe-Hemp, 2009). These culturally expected gendered expressions of a heterosexual man include authority, physical strength, aggressiveness, and masculinity (Miller & Lilley, 2014; Myers, Forest, & Miller, 2004; Rabe-Hemp, 2009; Shelley, Morabito, & Tobin-Gurley, 2011), all of which contribute to the definition of what a “real policeMAN” is. 4 As a result, a real policeMAN is generally believed to be a heroic crime-fighter who takes control of perilous situations through their ability to physically apprehend and arrest dangerous felons on a daily basis (Martin, 1994; Myers et al, 2004; Rabe-Hemp, 2009; Shelley et al, 2011).…”

“…This crime-fighter persona has been historically expected from and embodied by the policeman. This has resulted in male and female officers, as well as the public, equating masculinity with being an effective police officer (Prokos & Padavic, 2002; Rabe-Hemp, 2009; Shelley et al, 2011; see Miller & Lilley, 2014; see literature review in Morash & Haarr, 2011). Accordingly, police recruitment and hiring practices have been designed to hire those that reflect the ideal policeMAN in addition to excluding anyone who does not conform to the appropriate level of masculinity (e.g., women, minorities, homosexuals, and effeminate heterosexual men; Miller et al, 2003; Prokos & Padavic, 2002; Shelley et al, 2011).…”

“…If a female officer adopts a policeWOMAN persona she not only runs the risk of being seen as weak and incapable (Rabe-Hemp, 2009), she is also at greater risk of being referred to or viewed as a “badge bunny.” 5 If a female officer assumes a POLICEwoman persona, she may be perceived as masculine and as a result is disparagingly referred to as a “butch,” “bitch,” “lesbo,” or “dyke” (Martin, 1994; Rabe-Hemp, 2009). In the end, the female police officer’s work persona may result in her male and female coworkers assuming and assigning sexual identities through stereotypic categorization (see Martin, 1994; Miller & Lilley, 2014) which can impact work assignments. The above-mentioned obstacles are encountered by lesbian officers not only in relation to their female gender expression but also in relation to their sexuality.…”

“…Over the last several decades, law enforcement has experienced an increase in the number of women and lesbians in the rank and file (Colvin, 2009; Miller & Lilley, 2014; National Center for Women & Policing, n.d.). Although policing has transitioned from being a predominately White, male, and homophobic enterprise (Sklansky, 2006) to one including minorities and women, that transition has been slow, challenging, and at times hostile (Miller, Forest, & Jurik, 2003).…”