Navigating Entry: The Role of Exposure and Career Fit Negotiation in Women’s Pathways to Policing in the United States

Women’s engagement in policing in the United States and other countries has not reached its potential. We interviewed 47 women in law enforcement to learn about their pathways into policing. Two primary themes emerged: career discovery through exposure and negotiating career fit. Exposure through interactions with role models, hands-on experiences, and media portrayals, provided a peek into policing. The assessment and negotiation of career “fit” in our study was an ongoing, dynamic process. As participants faced questions about their own characteristics, values, and belonging, exposure in the form of role models and experiences helped them navigate career fit concerns. Implications for practice highlight the need for policing organizations to create meaningful connections with potential candidates and help them align policing careers with diverse aspirations, values, and personal circumstances. Finally, a continued focus on cultural and structural changes is needed to accept and support diverse integration.

美国及其他国家的女性在警务领域的参与度尚未充分发挥其潜力。本研究通过访谈47名执法领域女性，探究其投身警务工作的职业路径。研究提炼出两大核心主题：其一为通过各类接触感知实现职业发现，其二为职业适配性的动态调适。通过与榜样人物的互动、实操体验以及媒体呈现所获得的接触与认知，让受访者得以窥见警务工作的真实面貌。本研究中，对职业‘适配性’的评估与调适是一个持续的动态过程：当受访者面临关于自身特质、价值观与归属感的审视时，榜样互动与实操体验这类接触渠道，帮助她们应对职业适配方面的顾虑。研究的实践启示指出，警务机构需与潜在求职者建立富有意义的联结，助力其将警务职业规划与多元的职业期许、价值观及个人境遇相契合。最后，仍需持续关注文化与结构性变革，以接纳并支持警务队伍的多元融合。