Kalehue
11:53 am on May 4th, 2009
He has a wussy hairdo, too. 
Wonder how much time the extra charges will land him.  Haha. What a dolt. 
Athena
11:57 am on May 4th, 2009
Went for a female cop? Weak.
That said, most of the female cops/corrections officers I see have no fucking business holding these positions. The same can be said about all the male cops who let themselves go after academy. But especially the ladies – I have to wonder why people of such slight stature expose themselves to such a dangerous job.
malq
12:03 pm on May 4th, 2009
Athena: Went for a female cop?Weak.That said, most of the female cops/corrections officers I see have no fucking business holding these positions.The same can be said about all the male cops who let themselves go after academy.But especially the ladies – I have to wonder why people of such slight stature expose themselves to such a dangerous job.
totally correct Athena, I was going to say that. You beat me  to it.  I might add the correction officers know the deal with these guys and how to press their buttons.  I know it is a two way street and somehow he was probably provoked. However, he will have to pay for his dumbass actions,.. Meanwhile the beaten correctional officer gets the glory and attention for a job she is not suited for.
boilly
2:54 pm on May 4th, 2009
malq: know it is a two way street and somehow he was probably provoked.
haha! How exactly was he provoked into being a dumbass? He was provoked by a woman on another floor? And had to run up the stairs to get at her? Did you miss the part where he was being held there on charges of harassment? Or was that all provoked too? There’s a reason this guy was in jail to begin with and yes, there is probably a good reason nobody would accept his calls. He’s a tempermental asshole!!!
Crymzen Vyolet
7:33 pm on May 4th, 2009
I  think he looks like a bloated, white trash version of Alec Baldwin.
Friday
9:25 pm on May 4th, 2009
LOLOL! Some women look tougher than men. If you shave that head into a mullet , shave the beard & mustache then it’s fair game.  Larry just punked out like a bitch.
Unamused Cat
10:16 pm on May 4th, 2009
He’s a real tough guy attacking an unarmed female officer.  I hope he got his ass kicked really good.  Bah!
valorious
2:24 am on May 5th, 2009
All I want to say is Portland cops are exceedingly harsh and will taser you to death.  There’s been several incidents of unnecessary force investigated in this town; of course all the cops got off.  Not a cop-hater.  Grew up in Chicago and, well you know, in my youth had a couple of run-ins.  Always treated with respect.  Here in Portland you’re considered a scumbag until proven otherwise.  Not at all condoning this ass’ behavior, but the cops do use excessive force. 
So Jaded
2:35 am on May 5th, 2009
valorious: All I want to say is Portland cops are exceedingly harsh and will taser you to death.  There’s been several incidents of unnecessary force investigated in this town; of course all the cops got off.  Not a cop-hater.  Grew up in Chicago and, well you know, in my youth had a couple of run-ins.  Always treated with respect.  Here in Portland you’re considered a scumbag until proven otherwise.  Not at all condoning this ass’ behavior, but the cops do use excessive force.
A female deputy sitting behind her desk is harsh? I live in the Portland area as well…I’ve never heard about the cops here being excessively harsh. If anything, I find them somewhat accommodating and patient. More patient than I would be…that’s for damn sure.
popeyeray
6:00 am on May 5th, 2009
He’s the kind of scum-sucking-shit-monger that exploits the weak, the vulnerable, It’s REAL SIMPLE ladeez, go for the the NUTS, use your elbows or knees to hit them in the groin, eyes, nose, or THROAT–>keep your hand open (as if you’re holding a glass), if your in a frickin office grab a pencil, pen, or scissors and shank him with that sweet felony rage that dwells within us all.
Castille
8:59 am on May 5th, 2009
@ malq:
Way to make a situation where an officer gets amushed unsuspecting at their desk and has their head bashed into a few times a gender issue.  I don’t really think it mattered in this situation what the gender of the officer was.  But because she was female, that means she’s unsuited for police work?  What I’m really hearing from you is that all women are unsuited for police work.  And shame on Athena for opening that up. 
Research shows that women are as effective as men as officers.  Women do have a different policing style though, relying less on upper body strength and physical confrontation.  They rely instead on communication and defusing situations.  This leads to less escalation and excessive force scenarios, and in turn, that exposes a department to far less liability.  Policing philosophies built around community and problem solving rather than intervention are at least as successful, if not more, than focusing on intervention.  Having a force full of ‘tough guys’ only leads to epic levels of misconduct and corruption.  The view the two of you seem to share on what policing ought to be, with the need for intimidating physique being paramount, is both limiting and limited, and not what I want in my own community police force.  Keep that crap in your towns.
MadeaBecBec
10:44 am on May 5th, 2009
Castille:
Way to make a situation where an officer gets amushed unsuspecting at their desk and has their head bashed into a few times a gender issue.  I don’t really think it mattered in this situation what the gender of the officer was.  But because she was female, that means she’s unsuited for police work?  What I’m really hearing from you is that all women are unsuited for police work.  And shame on Athena for opening that up. 
Research shows that women are as effective as men as officers.  Women do have a different policing style though, relying less on upper body strength and physical confrontation.  They rely instead on communication and defusing situations.  This leads to less escalation and excessive force scenarios, and in turn, that exposes a department to far less liability.  Policing philosophies built around community and problem solving rather than intervention are at least as successful, if not more, than focusing on intervention.  Having a force full of ‘tough guys’ only leads to epic levels of misconduct and corruption.  The view the two of you seem to share on what policing ought to be, with the need for intimidating physique being paramount, is both limiting and limited, and not what I want in my own community police force.  Keep that crap in your towns.
*Clapping Loudly* Thank you Castille, I, for one (am sure there are others) appreciate your candor and eloquence and Totally Agree with you!
BTW, only Wussies like Larry Lande Jr., go after women, no matter the role they’re in…… I just wish that he had been tasered in the gonads!!!
Wonder
1:04 pm on May 5th, 2009
Crymzen Vyolet:
I  think he looks like a bloated, white trash version of Alec Baldwin.
At first glance, I thought he looks like Alec – he looks so much like him I was going to post – you beat me too it.  Great observation!
MadeaBecBec:
*Clapping Loudly* Thank you Castille
Well said, Castille
Athena
1:41 pm on May 5th, 2009
Way to make a situation where an officer gets amushed unsuspecting at their desk and has their head bashed into a few times a gender issue. I don’t really think it mattered in this situation what the gender of the officer was. But because she was female, that means she’s unsuited for police work? What I’m really hearing from you is that all women are unsuited for police work. And shame on Athena for opening that up.
Research shows that women are as effective as men as officers. Women do have a different policing style though, relying less on upper body strength and physical confrontation. They rely instead on communication and defusing situations. This leads to less escalation and excessive force scenarios, and in turn, that exposes a department to far less liability. Policing philosophies built around community and problem solving rather than intervention are at least as successful, if not more, than focusing on intervention. Having a force full of ‘tough guys’ only leads to epic levels of misconduct and corruption. The view the two of you seem to share on what policing ought to be, with the need for intimidating physique being paramount, is both limiting and limited, and not what I want in my own community police force. Keep that crap in your towns.
I realize this was directed at Malq, but his perspective and my perspective could be easily confused, so I would like to differentiate. I was not assuming that the female officer in question was unsuitable. I was stating that the female officers I’ve come into contact with have been unsuitable. The woman in this particular article could have been built like me, for all I know.
I believe gender-blind physical requirements should apply to all of the more “combat-forward” positions, which is why I mentioned out of shape males as well. This is my opinion about any field in which your co-workers’ well-being depends on your physical capacity. When you make exceptions in the name of diversity, you put everyone at risk.
I believe in equal standards. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty departments have had recruiting, their physical standards for both men AND women have loosened over the years. However, there is a substantial disparity in physical requirements for men and women in most police departments, and it’s done in the name of diversity. Imagine if they did that with sheet metal shops or glazing (glass work for those who might be unfamiliar) or Alaskan crab fishing?
For me, it’s not about intimidation. It’s about self-defense, and the ability to perform your duties. There is a reason police departments, jails and prisons tend to put females in more protected positions when they can, away from direct physical contact with unrestrained criminals. The fact of the matter is, thanks to overcrowding nationwide, attacks on correctional officers and police in jails and prisons is ever-increasing; no matter how communication-focused a program is, threat still exists, so why act like the two are mutually-exclusive? You’ll have to excuse me for wanting individuals who are both problem solving-oriented AND able to handle a physical situation when it presents itself.
biteme
5:03 pm on May 5th, 2009
boilly: haha! How exactly was he provoked into being a dumbass? He was provoked by a woman on another floor? And had to run up the stairs to get at her? Did you miss the part where he was being held there on charges of harassment? Or was that all provoked too? There’s a reason this guy was in jail to begin with and yes, there is probably a good reason nobody would accept his calls. He’s a tempermental asshole!!!
I know a lot of cops and they’re all assholes
jlpopo
5:12 pm on May 5th, 2009
Castille: Way to make a situation where an officer gets amushed unsuspecting at their desk and has their head bashed into a few times a gender issue.  I don’t really think it mattered in this situation what the gender of the officer was.  But because she was female, that means she’s unsuited for police work?  What I’m really hearing from you is that all women are unsuited for police work.  And shame on Athena for opening that up. Research shows that women are as effective as men as officers.  Women do have a different policing style though, relying less on upper body strength and physical confrontation.  They rely instead on communication and defusing situations.  This leads to less escalation and excessive force scenarios, and in turn, that exposes a department to far less liability.  Policing philosophies built around community and problem solving rather than intervention are at least as successful, if not more, than focusing on intervention.  Having a force full of ‘tough guys’ only leads to epic levels of misconduct and corruption.  The view the two of you seem to share on what policing ought to be, with the need for intimidating physique being paramount, is both limiting and limited, and not what I want in my own community police force.  Keep that crap in your towns.
I agree with Castille…. I’m a 5′4″ 145 lb. female, and worked in an all male correctional institute for 11 years. I had more cooperation from the inmates than any of my ‘tough-guy’ male co-workers. I’m not saying that women don’t get hurt on the job, but I never had a problem. If anything, most of the inmates were kind of respectful towards me, and I don’t think it’s entirely because I am female. I think it all boils down to being straight with them, requiring respect from them, (along with respecting them, no matter what their crime was) and being firm, but fair. It was one of the best jobs I’ve had.
I work in a school district now, and it’s not all that much different from working in a prison. LOL
AMinFH
5:26 pm on May 5th, 2009
I dont think this has anything to do with the sex of the officer but more with their booking procedures.  He was in a local jail even, not a prison. Here the cops have you cuffed at all times and if they dont they are breaking procedure and can get in trouble for it.  Phones are in holding cells.  Sometimes they let you keep your cell depending on what youre in there for and your attitude. 
Im not saying these cops deserved getting hurt but they werent given much of a chance if they werent in control of the criminal.  This guy is a tool.  I hope he does some real time with people that show him how much they care about his unanswered collect calls.
CassieMomma
1:57 pm on May 6th, 2009
Very good arguements on both sides, but I have to agree that a female officer does just as good of a job than a male officer.  Any situation could be potentially dangerous and you learn to protect yourself (and the public) in a way that works for you.  More power to anyone who takes that oath to protect and serve.  I have nothing but the utmost respect.
biteme
2:47 pm on May 6th, 2009
jlpopo: I agree with Castille…. I’m a 5?4? 145 lb. female, and worked in an all male correctional institute for 11 years. I had more cooperation from the inmates than any of my ‘tough-guy’ male co-workers. I’m not saying that women don’t get hurt on the job, but I never had a problem. If anything, most of the inmates were kind of respectful towards me, and I don’t think it’s entirely because I am female. I think it all boils down to being straight with them, requiring respect from them, (along with respecting them, no matter what their crime was) and being firm, but fair. It was one of the best jobs I’ve had. I work in a school district now, and it’s not all that much different from working in a prison. LOL
You were protected by the male guards, the prisoners knew you where off limits
The extra scuffles the male guards got into was probably to pass the don’t touch the female if you want to see tomorrow message, you had no problems and the male guards had more because of you.
Athena
3:13 pm on May 6th, 2009
Very good arguements on both sides, but I have to agree that a female officer does just as good of a job than a male officer.
It’s not about male vs. female, necessarily. I’ve got a buddy (male) who is 5′4″, 150lbs, and I wouldn’t advocate HIM being an officer, either. For me, it’s about physical capacity, period. All officers, whether they’re tall, short, thick, thin, old, young, male or female should have to qualify by the same physical standards.
A few years ago, I was involved (not directly) in a fight that broke out. The first officer on the scene was a very slight female. She was unable to cuff the offending party and, as a result, not only was she at risk until another officer arrived, so were the rest of us (he could have overpowered her for her weapons, if he had wanted to). The smaller a person is, the more susceptable they will be to this sort of thing. In my experience, the female officers I’ve come into contact with have been below average height/weight, which is why I made the statement I did.
In many departments, the physical requirements are dependent on ones size. For example, men must be able to bench press 99% of their body weight. Women, 59%. Even if they didn’t differentiate based on gender, it’d still be a bad standard. There should be a set standard, say, 175lbs, that EVERY individual should be capable of bench pressing to ensure their ability. How safe is it that a 130lb female only has to bench press just over 75lbs? No matter how diplomatic you are, many of the functions police perform require muscle. That 130lb female is simply not capable of the same things a 180lb female is, or a 220lb male.
Statistically, small people are unable to deter or prevent physical altercations as well as big people. I don’t care how diplomatic a person is – them’s the brakes. Women aren’t automatically less capable, but small people are, and women just so happen to be the majority of small people.
Veronica
3:28 pm on May 6th, 2009
So Jaded:
A female deputy sitting behind her desk is harsh? I live in the Portland area as well…I’ve never heard about the cops here being excessively harsh. If anything, I find them somewhat accommodating and patient. More patient than I would be…that’s for damn sure.
Me too, So Jaded!  I am downtown in the Pearl District (known as kind of hoity-toity but lots of homeless hang out there) and my only experience with a cop here was when he rather patiently escorted away one of the crazy homeless dudes who harass people waiting for the streetcar, can’t say I’ve heard anything particularly bad about Portland cops, either.
Veronica
3:36 pm on May 6th, 2009
biteme:
You were protected by the male guards, the prisoners knew you where off limits
The extra scuffles the male guards got into was probably to pass the don’t touch the female if you want to see tomorrow message, you had no problems and the male guards had more because of you.
I’m sorry, but you have no basis on which to actually blame her for the additional altercations faced by her male colleagues.  You are engaging in rather unfounded speculation here.  They had more altercations “because of her?!”  Harsh.
Veronica
3:38 pm on May 6th, 2009
Athena, I think you make some good points and your last post should clear up any misunderstandings or bruised feelings…
This is why I like Athena, she is able to keep her cool and form a cogent argument pretty much 100 percent of the time, even when many of the rest of us are letting our emotions take over.
Athena
3:42 pm on May 6th, 2009
Thanks, Veronica. After rereading my initial statement, I can see how it could be interpreted as being sexist and inflammatory. But generally speaking, I’m not sexist… Unless I’m talking about driving or hyper-emotionalism.
Veronica
3:50 pm on May 6th, 2009
Athena:
Thanks, Veronica. After rereading my initial statement, I can see how it could be interpreted as being sexist and inflammatory. But generally speaking, I’m not sexist… Unless I’m talking about driving or hyper-emotionalism.
LOL, my anti-female sexism tends to come out when beauty pageant contestants make stupid, ignorant statements!  *Cough*Miss California*Cough*
I’d also like to extend the “always seems to keep her cool” honor to Castille, even though she and Athena were (initially, at least) at odds on this one!
Castille
4:58 pm on May 6th, 2009
There are good and bad female officers, and there are good and bad male officers.  That said…
Statistically, brawny people don’t prevent or deter physical altercation – studies only show that they get into them and use excessive force more often.  Law enforcement or corrections aren’t about brawn.  You’ll always be outnumbered, and you’ll frequently find yourself out-brawned regardless of gender or size.  These fields require a lot more strategy and team cooperation, not brute force.  Quite simply, physical strength isn’t any proven measure of effectiveness in an officer’s ability to handle dangerous situations.  And this is without even touching what women add to corrections and law enforcement, which may well be worth the trade off if less physical strength DID equal less effective. 
Athena’s example doesn’t even make sense to me as a legitimate gender issue.  Any officer who finds him or herself alone should avoid initiating a physical confrontation with an aggressive person if possible.  Especially when surrounded by other potentially aggressive parties.  A large man also runs a risk of having his weapons taken if he should engage in this way.  Officers in my area run 2 to a car, 2 cars run together.  I haven’t ever seen one of them engage someone aggressive solo, (and I wouldn’t ever suggest they do,) although I imagine if someone were being killed they would – with their weapons drawn, however.  That wouldn’t exactly be calculated to deescalate a minor fight situation though.  This may especially be a law enforcement concern in my area, as there’s a high level of community hosility to the police.  (I looked up 5′4″ officers on a lark and found this article that I thought related though – http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n11_v48/ai_13230343/)
And Biteme – you do illustrate the biggest hurdle women in corrections have faced I think – attitudes of their male coworkers.  They do put up resistance and sometimes do take a protective stance.  This declines as female correction officers demonstrate their competence and their fears turn out not to be realized.  All corrections officers are in a dangerous position when alone among prisioners with nothing but a radio, and while statistics don’t show females to be targeted any more often than males, male officers do have a greater fear of it happening to a woman.  But again, that’s about staff attitude, not reality.  In some cases, many inmates share the same male protective sense as male officers, I think.  You might like to peruse a 1991 survey of the experience actual state corrections departments had in adding women to their maximum security facilites, and the pros and cons as they actually experienced them here http://www.nicic.org/pubs/1991/009504.pdf  It’s a bit boring, but interesting in what’s repetitous about it, and somewhat enlightening.
Veronica
5:12 pm on May 6th, 2009
Castille:
There are good and bad female officers, and there are good and bad male officers.  That said…
Statistically, brawny people don’t prevent or deter physical altercation – studies only show that they get into them and use excessive force more often.  Law enforcement or corrections aren’t about brawn.  You’ll always be outnumbered, and you’ll frequently find yourself out-brawned regardless of gender or size.  These fields require a lot more strategy and team cooperation, not brute force.  Quite simply, physical strength isn’t any proven measure of effectiveness in an officer’s ability to handle dangerous situations.  And this is without even touching what women add to corrections and law enforcement, which may well be worth the trade off if less physical strength DID equal less effective. 
Athena’s example doesn’t even make sense to me as a legitimate gender issue.  Any officer who finds him or herself alone should avoid initiating a physical confrontation with an aggressive person if possible.  Especially when surrounded by other potentially aggressive parties.  A large man also runs a risk of having his weapons taken if he should engage in this way.  Officers in my area run 2 to a car, 2 cars run together.  I haven’t ever seen one of them engage someone aggressive solo, (and I wouldn’t ever suggest they do,) although I imagine if someone were being killed they would – with their weapons drawn, however.  That wouldn’t exactly be calculated to deescalate a minor fight situation though.  This may especially be a law enforcement concern in my area, as there’s a high level of community hosility to the police.  (I looked up 5?4? officers on a lark and found this article that I thought related though – http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n11_v48/ai_13230343/)
And Biteme – you do illustrate the biggest hurdle women in corrections have faced I think – attitudes of their male coworkers.  They do put up resistance and sometimes do take a protective stance.  This declines as female correction officers demonstrate their competence and their fears turn out not to be realized.  All corrections officers are in a dangerous position when alone among prisioners with nothing but a radio, and while statistics don’t show females to be targeted any more often than males, male officers do have a greater fear of it happening to a woman.  But again, that’s about staff attitude, not reality.  In some cases, many inmates share the same male protective sense as male officers, I think.  You might like to peruse a 1991 survey of the experience actual state corrections departments had in adding women to their maximum security facilites, and the pros and cons as they actually experienced them here http://www.nicic.org/pubs/1991/009504.pdf  It’s a bit boring, but interesting in what’s repetitous about it, and somewhat enlightening.
Personally, I think psychological evaluations are a hell of a lot more important than physical brawn — and one of the main reasons for this is that the tendency to inititate physical altercations and all-around “lose their cool” is a big problem for cops, as you pointed out Castille.
If we could keep authoritarian control-freaks with hair-trigger tempers out while still keeping plenty of police on the streets, that would be ideal, but I’m not holding my breath…
Athena
6:23 pm on May 6th, 2009
Statistically, brawny people don’t prevent or deter physical altercation – studies only show that they get into them and use excessive force more often. Law enforcement or corrections aren’t about brawn. You’ll always be outnumbered, and you’ll frequently find yourself out-brawned regardless of gender or size. These fields require a lot more strategy and team cooperation, not brute force. Quite simply, physical strength isn’t any proven measure of effectiveness in an officer’s ability to handle dangerous situations. And this is without even touching what women add to corrections and law enforcement, which may well be worth the trade off if less physical strength DID equal less effective.
Okay, I let the first one slide, but if you’re going to reference statistics again, I’m going to need a link. I fully admit that I am basing my opinion on the matter nearly completely on personal experience, and it’s because I am unable to find statistics either way. If you’ve got ‘em, I can be pretty easily swayed by hard data. Where there is an absense of hard data, I’m forced to rely on my personal experience.
In the meantime, “Using data collected in the last 15 years, it is now possible to document that fitness areas such as aerobic and anaerobic power, strength, flexibility, explosive power, and agility underlie specific task performance.”
In a nutshell, this study essentially states that, yes, physical ability is essential to police work and that static standards should be established, but aren’t generally because it would threaten diversity. I’ve got a problem with that.
As for what women add to police departments, that sounds to me like conjecture. It’s entirely possible, but I have a hard time taking someone’s word for it when my personal experience is so contrary to that assertion.
Athena’s example doesn’t even make sense to me as a legitimate gender issue.
It wasn’t meant to be a gender issue – it was meant to be a physical capacity issue, a point that I’ve reiterated now multiple times. To be brutally honest, it was a training issue more than anything, as the officer was being cocky in attempting to subdue the individual without another officer present. He appeared calm and cooperative, but when she attempted to cuff him, he made it clear that this wasn’t going to happen… and he wasn’t a big guy. Gender aside, I wonder if a bigger person would have encountered that situation.
Veronica
7:05 pm on May 6th, 2009
Athena:
Okay, I let the first one slide, but if you’re going to reference statistics again, I’m going to need a link. I fully admit that I am basing my opinion on the matter nearly completely on personal experience, and it’s because I am unable to find statistics either way. If you’ve got ‘em, I can be pretty easily swayed by hard data. Where there is an absense of hard data, I’m forced to rely on my personal experience.
In the meantime, “Using data collected in the last 15 years, it is now possible to document that fitness areas such as aerobic and anaerobic power, strength, flexibility, explosive power, and agility underlie specific task performance.”
In a nutshell, this study essentially states that, yes, physical ability is essential to police work and that static standards should be established, but aren’t generally because it would threaten diversity. I’ve got a problem with that.
As for what women add to police departments, that sounds to me like conjecture. It’s entirely possible, but I have a hard time taking someone’s word for it when my personal experience is so contrary to that assertion.
It wasn’t meant to be a gender issue – it was meant to be a physical capacity issue, a point that I’ve reiterated now multiple times. To be brutally honest, it was a training issue more than anything, as the officer was being cocky in attempting to subdue the individual without another officer present. He appeared calm and cooperative, but when she attempted to cuff him, he made it clear that this wasn’t going to happen… and he wasn’t a big guy. Gender aside, I wonder if a bigger person would have encountered that situation.
I completely see your side as well, though since we’re going on personal experience , I’d say personality is as important as physical strength as to what makes a good cop.  A brawny egomaniacal ultra-authoritarian type is likely going to end up escalating some situations, while a slightly built  cop is more likely to be overpowered, both regardless of gender.
biteme
10:21 am on May 7th, 2009
Athena: I realize this was directed at Malq, but his perspective and my perspective could be easily confused, so I would like to differentiate.I was not assuming that the female officer in question was unsuitable.I was stating that the female officers I’ve come into contact with have been unsuitable.The woman in this particular article could have been built like me, for all I know.I believe gender-blind physical requirements should apply to all of the more “combat-forward” positions, which is why I mentioned out of shape males as well.This is my opinion about any field in which your co-workers’ well-being depends on your physical capacity.When you make exceptions in the name of diversity, you put everyone at risk.I believe in equal standards.Unfortunately, due to the difficulty departments have had recruiting, their physical standards for both men AND women have loosened over the years.However, there is a substantial disparity in physical requirements for men and women in most police departments, and it’s done in the name of diversity.Imagine if they did that with sheet metal shops or glazing (glass work for those who might be unfamiliar) or Alaskan crab fishing? For me, it’s not about intimidation.It’s about self-defense, and the ability to perform your duties.There is a reason police departments, jails and prisons tend to put females in more protected positions when they can, away from direct physical contact with unrestrained criminals.The fact of the matter is, thanks to overcrowding nationwide, attacks on correctional officers and police in jails and prisons is ever-increasing; no matter how communication-focused a program is, threat still exists, so why act like the two are mutually-exclusive?You’ll have to excuse me for wanting individuals who are both problem solving-oriented AND able to handle a physical situation when it presents itself.
Wonder why they don’t have 5′4″ 130lb female bouncers at clubs?
Not equal opportunity employer?
LOL
biteme
10:32 am on May 7th, 2009
Castille: There are good and bad female officers, and there are good and bad male officers.  That said… Statistically, brawny people don’t prevent or deter physical altercation – studies only show that they get into them and use excessive force more often.  Law enforcement or corrections aren’t about brawn.  You’ll always be outnumbered, and you’ll frequently find yourself out-brawned regardless of gender or size.  These fields require a lot more strategy and team cooperation, not brute force.  Quite simply, physical strength isn’t any proven measure of effectiveness in an officer’s ability to handle dangerous situations.  And this is without even touching what women add to corrections and law enforcement, which may well be worth the trade off if less physical strength DID equal less effective. Athena’s example doesn’t even make sense to me as a legitimate gender issue.  Any officer who finds him or herself alone should avoid initiating a physical confrontation with an aggressive person if possible.  Especially when surrounded by other potentially aggressive parties.  A large man also runs a risk of having his weapons taken if he should engage in this way.  Officers in my area run 2 to a car, 2 cars run together.  I haven’t ever seen one of them engage someone aggressive solo, (and I wouldn’t ever suggest they do,) although I imagine if someone were being killed they would – with their weapons drawn, however.  That wouldn’t exactly be calculated to deescalate a minor fight situation though.  This may especially be a law enforcement concern in my area, as there’s a high level of community hosility to the police.  (I looked up 5?4? officers on a lark and found this article that I thought related though – http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n11_v48/ai_13230343/)And Biteme – you do illustrate the biggest hurdle women in corrections have faced I think – attitudes of their male coworkers.  They do put up resistance and sometimes do take a protective stance.  This declines as female correction officers demonstrate their competence and their fears turn out not to be realized.  All corrections officers are in a dangerous position when alone among prisioners with nothing but a radio, and while statistics don’t show females to be targeted any more often than males, male officers do have a greater fear of it happening to a woman.  But again, that’s about staff attitude, not reality.  In some cases, many inmates share the same male protective sense as male officers, I think.  You might like to peruse a 1991 survey of the experience actual state corrections departments had in adding women to their maximum security facilites, and the pros and cons as they actually experienced them here http://www.nicic.org/pubs/1991/009504.pdf  It’s a bit boring, but interesting in what’s repetitous about it, and somewhat enlightening.
As always a well thought-out point of view
Athena
11:27 am on May 7th, 2009
completely see your side as well, though since we’re going on personal experience , I’d say personality is as important as physical strength as to what makes a good cop. A brawny egomaniacal ultra-authoritarian type is likely going to end up escalating some situations, while a slightly built cop is more likely to be overpowered, both regardless of gender.
Oh, I agree wholeheartedly. That’s why I believe in static, gender-neutral standards, both psychologically and physically.
In a perfect world, drugs would be decriminalized, requiring a smaller police force. That way, we wouldn’t need to loosen restrictions for recruitment purposes.

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