SOC326H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Machismo
Document Summary
Gendering soft" policing: multi-agency working, female cops, and the fluidities of police culture/s. Soft" policing an amalgam of activities which include supporting and mentoring young people. At risk" of crime, and building community trust relations. Police officers think that soft" policing is departing from proper" images of police work associated with masculine ideals of crime fighting. In recent years, police is working on problems beyond crime and disorder. For example: building trust relations between police and communities and implementing crime prevention programs to work with disadvantaged young people and families. This new soft" policing approach has opened opportunities for female officers which can gain legitimacy. But it is well documented that most police activities still focus on crime fighting and masculine roles. The article challenges conceptions of female officers as either subservient or marginalised by police cultures, or otherwise active proprietors of the masculine values of the police organisation as an enforced coping mechanism.
