Abstract
Women police officers in Pakistan are caught between cultural norms and their responsibilities as police professionals. The police department is considered a masculine organization requiring a strong manly image. Male police officials have yet to accept women as their equals. This research was conducted to better understand the major problems women police officers are facing during the performance of their duties in Balochistan (Pakistan). A survey was designed and the Balochistan police department was contacted to allow female officers to participate in the research. The results revealed that most of the women police personnel had joined the police force by their own choice, but mostly compelled by the urge to meet their immediate needs and to support their families. The major problems faced by them were the granting of leave in case of emergency and the need to work night shifts. These officers also reported that incidents of sexual harassment had occurred in various forms. Sex role spillover theory has been employed to explain the findings. This theory states that gender norms are so well established, stable, and salient that they will ―spill over‖ into the work role, and therefore people respond to women due to their sex/gender role instead of their occupational role.

Fasihuddin, Imran Ahmad Sajid. (2013) Policing behind the Veil: Problems involving Female Police Officers in Pakistan, Pakistan Journal of Criminology, Volume-05, Issue-1.
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