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UP-CLOSE: WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT Women In Leadership SUMMARY Aspiring women leaders must not be discouraged by discrimination or other challenges along the way. MORE INFORMATION www.cedarville.edu CHALLENGES & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ASPIRING WOMEN POLICE LEADERS Gender intelligence means acknowledging the differences between men and women, while seeing the benefits of both genders. By Patrick Oliver and Jessica Lagucki W involves certain traits, including flexibility, inner thought, inspiration, and the courage to take risks. The women who paved the way for females in policing used their feminine personality strengths and skills in leadership to better their professions. omen in law enforcement bring talent, intelligence and ability to the policing profes- sion. Not every woman is a leader, but every woman can lead within her area of responsibility or influence. The challenges of the profession have never been greater, therefore now is the time for women police leaders of all ranks and positions to bring new ideas and strategies to improve the quality of the law enforcement profession. Leadership means bringing both change and unity. Leader- ship is an intangible quality, yet we know it when we have experienced it. In spite of the multitude concepts, leadership generally 1) involves a process; 2) involves influence; 3) occurs in a group context; and 4) involves goal attainment. Leadership is not bound by rank or position; instead, it 74 LAW and ORDER I May 2012 Many of the women in the history of policing hold "first" positions, such as the first female agent, or first female team member. Women continue to expand their roles and assign- ments in law enforcement. Even though these "first" women do not all hold management positions, they all have the po- tential for leadership in law enforcement. Leadership and Feminism Women in law enforcement work within the male dominated system, choosing to act under their rules, and, therefore, take on some masculine traits in order to function effectively. Tak- ing on these traits does not mean a woman has to give up femi- nine traits. In fact, it has been suggested that the world of law enforcement has enough people to knock down doors – what is needed may be more of a different kind of officer.