Work culture undermining equality objectives for the police: increasing women’s representation in a work environment that is marked by gender-based harassment

Abstract

In the government’s strategy for gender equality in the police emphasis is placed on increasing the number of women. To achieve these objectives, the focus is on gender representation among police trainees, but little attention is paid to the high attrition rates among women and negative aspects of the police’s masculinised culture. The aim of the research is to examine the progress of the government’s equality objectives. Also, to examine the potential impact of gender-based harassment on these objectives, an issue that has received little attention in research to date. We draw on statistical data and a whole population survey data collected within the Icelandic police in 2022. We find that although there has been an increase in the number of women in the police in recent years, their representation in positions of influence and leadership has not increased as expected. It is uncertain whether the government’s objective will be achieved, as the gender gap among police trainees has widened and there are indications of an disproportionate dropout among women in the police. Many women report being subjected to gender-based harassment in their work, most often by male colleagues and male superiors. Therefore, we draw the conclusion that the police’s work culture undermines the government’s goals, as the focus is on increasing the women’s representation in the police force, while the work culture that awaits them will contribute to push them out again. To counter this, the government needs to respond with measures that promote an inclusive work environment for all police officers.