Redefining Law Enforcement: Policy Innovations for Gender Equality in South African Law Enforcement
Nthabiseng Tlali 
, Dee Khosa & Jacob Mofokeng
Issue: Vol.5 No.16 Issue Article 5 pp.2750-2762
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245165 | Published online 4th December, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study examines the ongoing issue of gender inequality within South African law enforcement, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms to establish an equitable and supportive environment for female officers. Despite the existing efforts to address these disparities, women in policing continue to face significant challenges, including systemic gender bias, limited opportunities for career advancement, and inadequate support structures. The research explored the perspectives of 18 current and retired women officers, who were identified as key informants due to their experience and understanding of the challenges faced by female officers. Using semi-structured interviews, the study uncovered four major themes which are leadership and attrition, factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women in law enforcement, perceived barriers to career progression, and challenges encountered at police academies that affect women’s ability to complete their training. The findings suggest that systemic barriers, lack of mentorship, and inadequate institutional policies remain critical issues that hinder women’s full participation and success in law enforcement careers. The study highlights the need for law enforcement agencies to implement targeted policies that promote gender diversity in recruitment, provide equal access to professional development opportunities, and create a workplace culture that values and supports female officers. By addressing these key areas, law enforcement agencies can foster a more inclusive and effective organizational framework. This research contributes to the broader scholarship on gender inequality in policing by providing valuable insights into the specific challenges women face and recommending policy reforms that can help create a more gender-inclusive law enforcement sector.
Keywords: Leadership, Training, Gender, Attrition, Law Enforcement
Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). The Impact of Police Culture on Gender Equality, 2021.
Birch, P., M. H. Vickers, S. Galovic, and M. Kennedy. “Cultivating Well-Being Among Police Officers: Examining Challenges in the Workplace.” In Police Behaviour, Hiring and Crime Fighting: An International View, edited by J.A. Eterno, B. Stickle, D. Scharff Peterson, and D.K. Das. New York: Routledge, 2022.
Cordner, Gary, and AnnMarie Cordner. “Stuck on a Plateau?” Police Quarterly 14, no. 3 (September 16, 2011): 207–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098611111413990.
Creswell, J.W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 3rd ed. United States of America: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009.
Department of Women. “ National Policy Framework on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality,” 2022.
Drew, Jacqueline M, and Jason Saunders. “Navigating the Police Promotion System: A Comparison by Gender of Moving up the Ranks.” Police Practice and Research 21, no. 5 (2020): 476–90.
Fraser, N. Scales of Justice: Reimagining Political Space in a Globalizing World. New York: Columbia University Press, 2009.
Herbst, Tessie H.H. “Gender Differences in Self-Perception Accuracy: The Confidence Gap and Women Leaders’ Underrepresentation in Academia.” SA Journal of Industrial Psychology 46 (February 24, 2020). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v46i0.1704.
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). “ Gender Dynamics in the South African Police Service,” 2021.
Institute for Security Studies (ISS). “ Gender in Policing: Improving the Representation and Status of Women in the South African Police Service,” 2020.
Johnson, L., and M. Carter. “Addressing Gender Barriers in Law Enforcement: Effective Policy Measures for Empowering Female Officers.” Journal of Criminal Justice 54, no. 3 (2023): 342–59.
Kääriäinen, Juha, and Reino Sirén. “Do the Police Trust in Citizens? European Comparisons.” European Journal of Criminology 9, no. 3 (2012): 276–89.
Keddie, Amanda. “Gender Equality Reform and Police Organizations: A Social Justice Approach.” Gender, Work & Organization 30, no. 3 (2023): 810–25.
Khosa, Dee. “Gender Equality or Inequality in Learning Institutions in South Africa: A Case of the Professional Advancement of Women.” Educational Leadership (Routledge, 2021) 126 (2023): 34.
———. “Leadership Development Framework for Women in Policing in South Africa: Overcoming Leadership Barriers.” International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) 11, no. 7 (November 6, 2022): 110–20. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i7.2018.
McLeod, Abby, and Victoria Herrington. “Valuing Different Shades of Blue.” International Journal of Emergency Services 6, no. 3 (November 13, 2017): 177–87. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJES-04-2017-0021.
National Police Service (NPS). “ National Police Service Gender Policy 2020 – 2025,” 2020. https://nationalpolice.go.ke/sites/default/files/2024-08/Gender Policy 7A.pdf.
Pahwa, Manisha, Alice Cavanagh, and Meredith Vanstone. “Key Informants in Applied Qualitative Health Research.” Qualitative Health Research 33, no. 14 (December 30, 2023): 1251–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323231198796.
Robson, C., and K. McCartan. Real World Research. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
Saldana, J. The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage Publications Ltd., 2009.
SAPS. “Speaking Notes Delivered by Police Minister General Bheki Cele (MP) at the Release Of The Quarter Two Crime Statistics 2022/2023.” Pretoria: Government Printer, November 23, 2022. https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=43497.
SAPS (South African Police Service). The SAPS Annual Report 1996/1997: National Strategic Plan. Pretoria: SAPS, 1997.
Smith, J., and P. Wright. “Enhancing Female Representation in Law Enforcement: Addressing Training and Development Barriers.” Journal of Policing Studies 45, no. 2 (2022): 123–45.
South African Police Service (SAPS). “Gender Policy Framework,” 2023.
UN Women. “ Enhancing Women’s Participation in Law Enforcement: Global Best Practices and South African Context.,” 2022.
Yu, Helen H. “Work-Life Balance: An Exploratory Analysis of Family-Friendly Policies for Reducing Turnover Intentions among Women in US Federal Law Enforcement.” International Journal of Public Administration 42, no. 4 (2019): 345–57.
Dr NM Tlali is a dedicated academic and former traffic officer with a wealth of experience in road traffic, policing, and transport logistics. Her career combines practical expertise with a commitment to advancing knowledge in compliance, road safety, and sustainable transport practices. A passionate advocate for women in law enforcement and other male-dominated fields, she works to inspire and empower others through her teaching, mentorship, and leadership. By breaking barriers and championing diversity, she sets an example for women to pursue their ambitions and excel in challenging industries. She graduated with a Doctor Technologiae: Policing; and Baccalaureus Technologiae: Road Traffic and Policing; from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). She also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education; from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). She is eager to write more articles that promote the advancement of women in law enforcement, highlighting their contributions and breaking barriers in the field. Additionally, she’s passionate about exploring and addressing challenges in road traffic systems, with a focus on improving safety, compliance, and sustainability.
Professor D Khosa is a young hardworking academic professional who always aspires to accomplish goals by gaining knowledge and insight into opportunities presented. She has a Doctor of Literature and Philosophy Degree in Police Science from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and a National Diploma in Public Management from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). She completed Development Programmes such as Women Leadership Development programme: NQF Level 8, with subjects such a/s: Leadership, Strategic Management, Project Management, and International Management. Prof Khosa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Safety and Security Management, Faculty of Humanities at the Tshwane University of Technology. She has many years of experience in the academic environment. Her fields of study and expertise are in Policing and related sciences. The dynamics of gender sensitivity have found particular prominence in her studies. She is a recipient of Emerging Researcher and Woman Researcher of the Year 2021. She has presented and peer-reviewed research papers at both national and international conferences. Aside from lecturing undergraduate students in Policing, she supervises masters and doctoral students at the Department of Safety and Security Management of the Tshwane University of Technology, the University of South Africa, and the University of Limpopo. Prof Khosa also serves on various institutional committees, including the highest governing body, the Senate. She was a member of the Traffic Law Enforcement Review Committee (TLERC), appointed by the Minister of Transport from 2016 to 2020. She is currently appointed a non-executive director by the Minister of Transport at Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) since August 2020 to date.
Prof JT Mofokeng, is a Full Professor at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)’s Department of Law, Safety and Security Management. He holds the African Research Chair for Campus and School Public Safety portfolio. He previously held the position of the Head of the Department. Additionally, Prof Mofokeng is a rated scholar by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. He graduated with a Doctor Technologiae: Policing; Baccalaureus Technologiae: Business Information System from TUT, a National Diploma and a National Higher Diploma: Policing with Technikon SA. He serves as an editorial board member of different journals internationally and locally. He is also a member of the Criminological Society of Africa. He published extensively in accredited journals and supervised over 60 doctoral and master’s students. His research interests revolve around transnational crime, gender studies, detective pedagogy, campus security and knowledge management.
Tlali, Nthabiseng, Dee Khosa & Jacob Mofokeng. “Redefining Law Enforcement: Policy Innovations for Gender Equality in South African Law Enforcement,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.16 (2024):2750-2762. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245165
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
