Women are significantly underrepresented among police supervisors, middle managers, and leaders in the United States. To investigate this problem, the current study examines challenges faced by women officers as they pursue promotions. Narrative data from 226 women who earned promotions in U.S. policing are analyzed using a content analysis of responses to an open-ended survey question. Emergent themes reflected gender bias within the promotions process and, more broadly, in the organizational culture of participants’ agencies that impact promotions. Findings support the characterization of policing as a gendered occupation with a culture that views and supports men as more competent leaders.

在美国，女性在警察主管、中层管理人员和领导人中的比例明显不足。为了调查这个问题，本研究探讨了女警官在晋升过程中面临的挑战。通过对开放式调查问题的回答进行内容分析，对 226 名在美国警务领域获得晋升的女性的叙述数据进行了分析。新兴主题反映了晋升过程中的性别偏见，更广泛地说，反映了影响晋升的参与者机构的组织文化中的性别偏见。调查结果支持将警务定性为一种性别职业，其文化认为并支持男性作为更有能力的领导者。