Abstract
This study has examined the societal and organizational attitudes toward female police currently working in the Sylhet Metropolitan area of Bangladesh. To better understand the actual scenario of women police in the Metropolitan area, this study interviewed 13 field-level officials using purposive sampling from the Sylhet Metropolitan area through a semi-structured questionnaire. The study found that society’s mental inertia and behavioral attitudes toward women have had a significant impact on the current situation of female cops in metropolitan police. The public still does not comprehend women working in such outfits, and women have to face a variety of struggles to join the force as well. Besides, as part of their societal responsibilities, they must forego a variety of career opportunities for the sake of their children and families. They often face physical difficulties with their tasks, and their male counterparts do not always accept them easily at the job; there is even a little stink of sexual harassment within the department. Although organizational facilities have been increased in many areas following the positive attitudes, there are still some problems regarding daycare centers, maternal leave, and separate washroom facilities. Thus, the study recommends improving their existing facilities based on female cops’ capabilities.
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Abbreviations
- ASI:
-
Assistant sub-inspector
- BCS:
-
Bangladesh Civil Service
- BPWN:
-
Bangladesh Police Women’s Network
- City DB:
-
City Detective Branch
- City SAF:
-
City Special Armed Forces
- DIG:
-
Deputy Inspector General of Police
- DMP:
-
Dhaka Metropolitan Police
- OC:
-
Officer in-charge
- SI:
-
Sub-inspector
- SMP:
-
Sylhet Metropolitan Police
- UN:
-
United Nations
- UNHQ:
-
United Nations Headquarters
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Mr MIK has conducted fieldwork for collecting data for this research. Dr MSI and Mr MIK worked on the literatures and methods of this study, and Dr MSI and Mr MIK worked on data processing and analysis. In addition, Dr MSI and Mr MIK contributed to the discussion and conclusion sections in this manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.
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The study has been conducted in the Department of Public Administration at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Bangladesh, which has been approved by the Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP). Relevant permission issues including consent to participate by the respondents have been taken and approved by the authority of the Department of Public Administration, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Ref: 2017237078/2022) and Sylhet Metropolitan Police (Ref: 04–2022/GOP/690(6)). A copy of consent to participate is available to the corresponding author. In addition, verbal consent has been obtained from the Social Science ethics board, SUST.
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Khan, M.I., Islam, M.S. Social and Organizational Perception Toward Women Police: A Study of Metropolitan Police in Develo** Country. J Police Crim Psych 39, 75–81 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-023-09614-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-023-09614-1