Social Background of Women Police Professionals in a Developing Country

The growth of professions in India has been a product of modern university education and British system of justice and administration. Indian police force was organized on modern line during the colonial period in order to rule over the local population. Even after independence (in 1947), the structure of police profession has not much changed. The entry of women in police service was neither legally nor socially approved. However, with the growth of modern education among the women and feminist movement, the entry of women at different levels has not only legally been permitted but also gets social approval to some extent. In the last three decades, the number of women in police profession has been increased significantly. This proposes to undertake an empirical study on the social background of women police professionals in a developing country like India. The present paper is based on an empirical study of women serving as police professional in Allahabad and Kanpur. The study is focused on their social background, role performance, working conditions and patterns of adjustment at work and home. The study reveals that there is a direct relationship between the caste and rank order of the women police professionals. They have been a victim of gender discrimination not only at their work place but also outside it. They also have certain problems of role adjustment not only at their work place but also in their family life.