My Semester at Sea Admission Essay

Discuss an issue of international concern and its importance to you.



The United States is not allowed to discriminate because of race or gender, so it is not uncommon to see a female police officer. In 2004, 11.6 percent of police officers in cities, and 8.1 percent of police officers in non-metropolitan areas were female (“Crime in the United States”). Female officers may face discrimination from co-workers and resistance from criminals out in the community, but it is nothing compared to what may happen if she were a police officer in some other countries around the world.


In Afghanistan female police officers are called upon to talk to female witnesses or suspects. Males are not allowed to talk to females alone in this country, so having a female police officer handle the situation will allow the police force to receive information easier. The problems female police officers face in Afghanistan is the lack of protection that they have. When a female police officer goes out on the streets she does not have a gun to protect her. The Afghani police force does not outfit their female officers with guns or body armor. This leaves them unprotected in a sometimes unstable environment.


In many countries sexual harassment of female police officers is rampant. These women have to deal with abuse from fellow officers and the people in the community. It is not uncommon for a female police officer to admit to sexual abuse from a fellow officer, and be the one to suffer the consequences.


In many communities around the world female police officers are looked down upon. Due to the fact that being a police officer is considered a masculine job, females that are employed as such are considered second class. In countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan female police officers are often shunned in their community because of the job they hold.


I believe that being a police officer is a noble career choice. These men and women protect their communities from harm. Both men and women police officers put themselves in dangerous situations so they can make their surroundings a better place. When I hear about the horrors that female police officers face around the world, I can feel the hurt of this injustice. Since I am a criminal justice major and want to be a part of the criminal justice profession, I believe it is my right and duty to speak out for the women who are part of the criminal justice profession and are unable to speak about the prejudices they face themselves.