Female Police Officers

* I read with interest the article about women police officers in the Los Angeles Police Department (June 5). The LAPD is making a serious effort, as it should, to eliminate sexist and racist attitudes among its personnel as the work force is increasingly diversified. However, I was sorry to see that some are still willing to express sexist attitudes based on broad stereotypes. What made it intriguing was that it was coming from female members of the department. In considering the male members of the department, one female detective said, “With a male suspect and a male officer, it’s like two dogs meeting on the street. They get their hair up on their backs,” and take insults as a blow to their egos. Another female officer simply stated, “Men are more confrontational.”

I have 16 years of law enforcement experience. I have been with the LAPD 12 of those years and take pride in my ability to defuse situations and verbally persuade most of those with whom I have contact to comply with what needs to be done. In the few situations in which physical force was necessary, I have used the minimum amount of force required. It is sad to see that there are still some members of the department willing to use a broad brush to stereotype their fellow officers simply on the basis of gender. Your article showed that sexist attitudes are not the sole property of either gender.

STEPHEN M. KIRBY

Chino

* I wish to say that the entrance of women in the Los Angeles Police Department is the key to restructuring the department as well as public opinion.

Women are just as able as men to effectively do the job of a police officer. Women now are given the opportunity to enter into a predominantly male-dominated field and are given the opportunity to prove that women are not as weak and docile as they think. According to the article, women are far superior in certain aspects of policing in that they are less violent and react in a less aggressive manner.

I am working toward a career in law enforcement, LAPD to be precise. I didn’t always want to be a cop, but after obtaining my associates degree in sociology, I felt this is the best way I can contribute to society. And as I complete my last two years at Cal State Northridge, I look forward to a career where the demand for women is high and where I am seen as a benefit to society. And although there are still those who continue to whine about the lowering of standards, testing is still a difficult process for both men and women.

JILL A. LUX

Van Nuys