Answer:
Women in law enforcement continue to face gender inequality and discrimination, despite gradual improvements in employment fairness. They represent a small percentage of local law enforcement agencies in the United States. Female officers often experience more criticism than male counterparts due to prevailing masculine values and sexism, negatively affecting their policing experiences. However, research indicates that women are less likely to use force, receive fewer complaints, and achieve better outcomes for certain victims. Increasing the recruitment of women in law enforcement can yield benefits such as reduced excessive force incidents and improved handling of violence against women and sex crimes.