ABSTRACT
This chapter provides comparative analysis of women police officers serving within the four jurisdictions of the British Isles. Contemporary empirical data are reported that show differences in the frequencies of discriminatory treatment and exposure to sexual harassment, with the lowest levels indicated by officers from the Republic of Ireland and the highest from policewomen serving in England and Wales. Cross-cultural research into women police is available for US /U.K. comparisons, France, England and Wales, Europe, Australia, Europe and U.S.A. In Scotland women were used to search female offenders and Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary recommended the appointment of women police in 1894. In Northern Ireland John Brewer argues that with relatively few policewomen, the police station remains a male domain. Grant, Garrison and McCornack and Poole and Pogrebin surveyed policewomen attending International Association of Women Police training conferences. In general the official tone for the appointment of women officers was most hostile in England and Wales.
