Empowering Women in Law Enforcement: A Personal Journey
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Sexual Harassment from Within the Ranks
Entering law enforcement demands unwavering dedication and integrity, but the reality can be starkly different.
Sharing my experiences makes me anxious.
Having served five years as a police officer, I faced numerous challenges as a woman in a predominantly male environment. This narrative recounts one of many distressing incidents that ultimately led to my departure from the force and my diagnosis of Complex PTSD (CPTSD). By voicing my story, I aim to highlight the harassment and inequities that female officers endure, advocating for greater transparency and reform within policing.
The Question of Motivation
"Why would you choose to become a police officer?" This is a question I have often asked myself. As a shy, queer, liberal woman who dislikes firearms and values listening, I have never fit the conventional image of a cop—a fact that has been reinforced by those who learned of my career choice.
My journey into criminal justice and psychology began after I was sexually assaulted during my freshman year in college. I entered the police academy driven by a passion for advocacy and a desire to understand human behavior, hoping to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
Before this experience, I had the privilege of limited interactions with law enforcement, having grown up in a white, middle-class suburb where I had not faced racial or socio-economic discrimination. It wasn't until I entered college that I developed an interest in social issues, albeit from an idealistic perspective, unaware of the systemic problems within the justice system.
I believed that dedicated, principled officers could incite essential change, and I aimed to be one of them—eager to contribute to reform from within.
However, the disillusionment came quickly. I witnessed firsthand the toxic behaviors and attitudes that plagued many departments, damaging the communities they were supposed to protect. The pervasive intolerance that had long existed in the field became painfully clear, and my innocence was shattered by frequent instances of harassment.
The Incident
Fresh off training and excited to serve my community, I faced an incident that left me feeling both confused and humiliated.
As part of our protocol, officers were required to announce their arrival and status over the radio at the start of each shift. This procedure was essential for safety and accountability, and interrupting was frowned upon unless absolutely necessary.
One evening, while waiting for roll call, I prepared to announce my call sign. After confirming that Dispatch was ready, I began to speak, only to be interrupted by a mocking male voice over the radio, crudely instructing me to "suck my cock."
The vulgarity echoed throughout the room, leaving me mortified while silence fell over my colleagues. Turning to my supervisors, I stammered that