As of 1997, women represented 11.7% (68,000) of the total police workers in the U.S. (579,000).1
Women's representation in municipal police departments serving populations over 50,000 grew from 3.4% in 1978 to 9% in 1986. As of 1992, women represented 3.7% of sergeants, 2.5% of lieutenants, and 1.4% of command staff.2
Work Environment—Police officers, detectives, and special agents work outdoors and indoors. They usually work a 40-hour week but paid overtime work is common. Shift work is necessary because police protection must be provided around the clock. Junior officers may work weekends, holidays, and nights. Police officers, detectives, and special agents could be on call at any time. In many jurisdictions, officers are expected to be armed and to exercise their arrest authority whenever necessary.
Some federal agents, such as U.S. Secret Service and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agents, require extensive travel, often on very short notice. They frequently relocate a number of times over the course of their career. Some police officers, detectives, and special agents with agencies such as the U.S. Border Patrol must work outdoors for long periods in all kinds of weather.
Potential Employers—Once you have completed training as a police officer, detective or special agent, you will be qualified to work with a variety of employers including:
- Local governments
- State, county and city police departments
- Various federal agencies including:
