Formation of Dallas Police Women’s Association
The formation of the Dallas Police Women’s Association was a result of the lack of representation for women officers, which made them feel like their voices were not being heard or taken seriously. Officer Jennifer Atherton, the president of the newly formed association, stated that the idea first came to her and others when they watched the movie “The Heat” with Sandra Bullock. The line “it’s hard being a woman in law enforcement” hit home with them, prompting the formation of the group. The association took nearly a decade to form and was initially an informal group called the “Sisters of DPD.”
Challenges Faced by Women Officers
The association’s initial challenge was the lack of lactation rooms in substations, which left female officers sitting on toilets in violation of workplace regulations. Female officers found empty rooms that were unused at substations, cleaned them, painted them, and had furniture donated. However, getting some male members of the command staff to adjust to the idea took a little longer. Atherton said that some male members of the command staff were hesitant to call it a “lactation room” in 2018 and 2019.
Another challenge faced by the women officers was that bulletproof vests designed to fit men were uncomfortable and didn’t fit correctly. Therefore, the association requested the department for bulletproof vests designed to fit women.
Changing the Culture
Atherton believes that discrimination and harassment against women in policing is a national problem. A poll of women working for the Dallas Police Department found that nearly everyone had faced some sort of discrimination or harassment in their careers. Now that the Dallas Police Women’s Association is officially a union, Atherton aims to change the culture within the police department. While she is unsure if her union will succeed in changing anything, she believes that she has to try to make the workplace better for women officers and those coming behind them.
The formation of the Dallas Police Women’s Association is a significant step towards addressing gender inequality in the police department. Women officers face unique challenges, and their voices need to be heard. By establishing a union, women officers can come together to advocate for their rights and push for changes in the workplace. The police department should recognize and address the issues faced by women officers to create a safer and more inclusive workplace.
