The findings are presented through one overarching theme: ‘Challenges with policing in a man’s world: Gendered expectations and physical realities’. This theme captures how female officers navigate the police culture, shaped by masculine norms, where not only the physical environment (e.g., uniforms, equipment, shift work) but also the cultural expectations of policing remain gendered. Participants described how their professional lives were interwoven with expectations of physical strength, emotional containment, and unlimited availability, expectations that align more closely with traditional masculine ideals than with the realities of many women’s lives, especially when caring for children.
The gendered expectations also extended beyond the workplace. Participants found themselves doing most of the unpaid domestic responsibilities, organising and coordinating family life in ways that reinforced traditional gender roles. Being a police officer and a woman often meant living a ‘double shift’, where juggling demanding, inflexible work with caregiving duties that remained socially expected of them as women. Female officers also described how motherhood clashed with professional norms, and how pregnancy could delay promotion, and parental obligations. Gendered expectations, thus, manifested both structurally and socially. Despite these challenges, the female police officers in this study also demonstrated creativity, carving out professional identities and coping strategies within, and in tension with, the system. These complex experiences are further examined in the following two themes: 1: ‘Fitting the female body and mind into a traditionally male profession’, and 2: ‘The dual identity: A police officer and a woman’ (see Fig. 1).
Description of the overarching theme and the two themes
Theme 1: fitting the female body and mind into a traditionally male profession
This theme examines how female police officers navigate the physical and psychological demands of a profession with masculine ideals designed for male bodies, including ill-fitting equipment, chronic physical strain, and challenges related to pregnancy and recovery.
Participants described how gendered expectations often aggravated their struggle to balance professional responsibilities with personal roles, resulting in guilt and stress. Despite these challenges, the participants showed resourcefulness by utilising strategies such as communication, adaptability, and prioritisation of recovery to manage their roles while emphasizing the need for systemic changes to better support their unique experiences.
Due to the nature of their police job descriptions, the participants faced various demanding issues arising from the physical requirements and stressful environments of their roles. Participants who were physically smaller or perceived themselves as insufficiently strong described how they utilized communication to navigate threatening situations differently than many of their male colleagues when interacting with criminals and potentially violent individuals. This strategy helped them avoid being perceived as threatening, which was identified as an advantage over more confrontative methods used to a higher degree by their male counterparts. The participants emphasised how a respectful approach often elicited respect in return, even during encounters with individuals who had committed crimes. One participant explains it like this:
“I’m not two meters tall and weigh 100 kilos. I mean…I use my mouth, and many criminals…most of them are men, and they don’t get as provoked by me. They don’t need to measure up…if they were to pick a fight with me… it wouldn’t show strength because I’m like half their size…”.
Another challenge raised was the experience of physical discomfort due to their work equipment. Despite adjustments made to accommodate women, the equipment was not fully designed to fit the female body and its specific needs, leading to discomfort, pain, and physical strain. The heavy equipment can cause long-term physical issues, which are exacerbated by poor posture and prolonged sitting in patrol cars. The design of the car seats and the weight of the equipment pressing against the body further worsened the situation. Participants noted that protective vests and trousers were poorly fitted for women, with the vests pressing against their chests. One participant even removed a chest plate to accommodate her breasts, compromising her safety. Health issues reported by the participants included lower back and leg pain, as well as stomach pain and bloating, which some participants attributed to the overall workload and shift work. The weight distribution of equipment belts was uneven due to women’s generally smaller waists and wider hips. This puts the body under irregular strain, causing pain in the hips, neck, and shoulders. Some participants had opted to wear a specialised utility vest instead of a belt to reduce strain. However, at times, this was more of a compromise than a relief, as it was reported to strain other parts of the body, as explained by a participant returning to work after pregnancy.
“I mean, the equipment is so heavy. And especially when you come back after a pregnancy, your body is so fragile. And I wasn’t in the same physical shape at all… After every shift, my sciatic nerve got pinched. And then I had to…wear a vest instead. But then all the weight ended up on my chest and stomach, so I got exhausted in my shoulders instead…”.
Therefore, policing posed unique challenges both during and after pregnancy. For instance, their roles and physical capabilities changed significantly, and the lack of adjustable uniform sizes restricted both mobility and comfort during shifts. Furthermore, beyond the physical aspects, there was also a psychological dimension to consider regarding being female, especially in terms of pregnancy. Some participants felt pressured to compromise their safety and well-being to avoid being reassigned to desk duties when they became pregnant, as they perceived it to be boring. Although some attempted to remain in frontline services as long as possible, concerns were also raised about the risks of injury from violent encounters, which led to stress and, at times, feelings of guilt regarding their unborn child, as illustrated below:
“… with my first pregnancy, I had someone lunge at me with a knife, and it was only afterwards that I reflected…shit, what if it had hit my stomach.”
There was also an increased awareness of infection risks during pregnancy, which became particularly evident during the coronavirus pandemic. This heightened awareness of risks also influenced their working style, contributing to increased psychological strain. For instance, one participant described how indirect threats from individuals who had been apprehended led to her decision not to live near work, in order to limit the risk of encountering these individuals in her personal life. As a woman, she felt vulnerable in her private life because she did not have her uniform on, especially since she was aware of the risk of violent encounters if she was recognised.
Physical ailments influenced their work and their ability to engage in leisure activities and social life. This was particularly true for those suffering from chronic conditions such as pain and inflammation in their knees and backs, which hindered their ability to stay active or fully participate in family life. Some participants reported hesitancy to admit to having health issues; instead, they endured pain and discomfort. Regular health check-ups were also encouraged. Nevertheless, the responsibility for preventing or addressing work-related health problems often falls on the individual. Many participants noted that discipline, job demands, and time were critical factors affecting their ability to maintain a regular exercise routine.
”…sometimes it’s midnight because I’ve put the kids to bed and done the dishes and yeah, you know… And then it just has to be done then (the exercise).”
Hence, despite most workplaces offering opportunities for exercise during working hours, this was not perceived as sufficient and finding time to exercise became even harder when raising children.
Theme 2: the dual identity: a police officer and a woman
This theme highlights how female police officers navigate the intersection of their roles as women, romantic partners, and mothers with the unique demands of policing.
Participants without children reported fewer challenges in managing work-life balance, as they could prioritise their own needs, such as rest and recovery after night shifts. For those with children, family life took precedence, often requiring sacrifices in personal time, finances, and career progression. One participant explained the differences between her and her colleagues who have children:
I’m a bit spoiled in that way, since I don’t have kids myself or anyone else I have to adjust to…I can sleep as long as I want. I can allow myself that, and so I do.
Parenting as a police officer was particularly demanding due to the challenges of shift work, overtime, and job unpredictability. Participants with young children described how managing parenting responsibilities, such as preschool routines and social activities, alongside irregular schedules often led to feelings of guilt about not having enough time or energy to meet their own or their children’s needs. Maintaining stable routines proved difficult, frequently requiring last-minute childcare arrangements.
There was a consistent belief that physical activity is a crucial part of life, essential for handling both work-related and personal challenges. For example, exercise can help prevent injuries, enhance overall well-being, and promote mental and physical relaxation. However, several participants encountered various obstacles in establishing a regular exercise routine, including a lack of time and energy. Some participants tried to integrate physical activity into their daily routines, such as walking their dogs, exercising with their children, or cycling to work. While some were able to maintain a workout routine, common sentiments expressed in the findings included a desire to exercise more frequently or at a higher intensity, along with a feeling that exercise was often deprioritised, especially after having children.
Being the primary caregiver or navigating shared custody arrangements added another layer of complexity, making flexibility in scheduling essential. While some participants sought more predictable daytime roles to better manage their family responsibilities, others highlighted the benefits of shift work, such as spending time with their children during the day. However, these benefits were also described as limiting sleep time and recovery after night shifts. There were also voices highlighting how women tend to remain in investigative roles after being transferred from frontline services during pregnancy. One participant explained how traditional family responsibilities were perceived to be at the disadvantage of the mother in heterosexual relationships, particularly if both work as police officers:
“… often, there are quite a few police couples, and when a baby comes along, it’s usually the woman who moves on to investigations, and the man stays in frontline duty, including shift work…”.
Participants assigned to desk duties during pregnancy also faced a decrease in income due to the loss of unsociable hours allowances and delays in career advancement. One officer further explains the differences she perceived between men and women at work, detailing why men tend to advance more quickly in their careers:
“…we women are often a bit more self-critical and don’t quite believe in ourselves as much…men often take on responsibility earlier… But women generally need a bit more support in that… So, I would say it does have an impact, even if people try to say that it shouldn’t.”
However, these sacrifices for career progression provided a better work-life balance, which was described as crucial for maintaining long-term careers. Access to flexible scheduling was essential for managing family and work life, with participants noting that supportive supervisors and individualised solutions offered relief. Nevertheless, not all participants felt they received sufficient organisational support. Some emphasised that systemic improvements, such as reducing consecutive night shifts, could alleviate stress related to managing work-life balance. Moreover, implementing nighttime care for children, as one participant suggests:
”I still think that if the possibility existed, maybe more people could stay in frontline services. It (the awareness) just needs to be raised somehow—that the employer…values frontline services.”
Still, the perceived stress at work from repeatedly adjusting their hours, such as picking up sick children from daycare, appeared to be internalised, as colleagues were described as supportive and understanding. The strain of balancing professional and personal responsibilities also appeared to have a negative impact on participants’ health and well-being. Many described feeling fatigued and exhausted, struggling to recover after shifts, and lacking the energy for social or leisure activities. Additionally, when asked if feeling stressed about not knowing when to get off shifts, a police officer working three shift rotations answered:
”Only if I’m, like, driving the kids to figure skating or choir practice. Then it can be like… hey, now I have to take a break. I have to sort things out. I have to arrange with some neighbours…They (colleagues) do get annoyed, but most are still understanding…it’s stressful. It is. Especially when it’s that close in time.”
This often led to irritability and emotional strain for the police officers. To cope, participants relied on support from family or partners, developed specific routines for sleep and recovery, or sought solutions such as adjusting their shifts to minimise disruption to their private lives. However, the cumulative effects of unpredictability and shift work challenges sometimes raised questions about whether policing was a sustainable long-term career. Some described making sacrifices in both their careers and personal time for the sake of their families. For separated parents, the demands of shift work and custody arrangements required careful planning to ensure time with their children, often at the expense of personal needs or hobbies. Despite these challenges, participants expressed a strong sense of fulfilment in their dual roles. The sacrifices were described as worthwhile, framing participants’ lives as meaningful and rewarding despite the trade-offs.
The division of household responsibilities added another layer of complexity, with participants often acting as the ‘project leader’ at home, managing both visible and invisible tasks. This imbalance occasionally led to conflicts, and some participants noted that relationship breakdowns were partly attributed to the stress of unevenly distributed responsibilities.
“…I mean, we have it more equal than many others. But I wouldn’t say it’s completely equal…For example, with the kids, I handle everything. But it’s also a bit about how I am as a person, you know? I’m not sure; I feel very strongly about my kids, just like everyone else does.
Therefore, this participant took on more responsibility for the home and children than her partner and accepted this unequal division. Such inequities contributed to participants’ exhaustion, and in terms of their careers, benefit the partner who assumes less responsibility for family life, allowing them more time and energy for work and self-care. Gendered inequalities were also noted during work hours, where men were viewed as supporting each other in ways that left female officers more vulnerable due to a lack of collegial and professional support.
“There is… I usually call it ‘the boys’ mutual admiration club’, like they pat each other on the back… If you bring in a woman who disagrees, especially if you’re also significantly older and more experienced. Then it gets tough.”
Traditional gender roles appeared to influence the work-life balance of female police officers. Nonetheless, the participants primarily emphasised the significance of workplace flexibility, fair policies, and supportive colleagues in aiding them to navigate the dual demands of their professional and personal lives.