‘As a Black woman, there’s no winning in law enforcement’: Black women’s experiences in policing

Abstract

Studies examining the experiences of Black officers often negate gendered nuances. In this qualitative study, we draw upon the lived experiences of Black women employed at a mid-sized police agency in Virginia. Between August 2021 and March 2022, in-depth interviews were conducted with Black women across ranks to learn about how their identity as Black women impacted their social environment at work. Thematic findings reflected the impact that the lack of representation had on Black women officers, the self-reported victories and downfalls associated with Black women achieving rank, and the presence of tokenism, primarily seen in these women’s interactions with other peers. Policy and practical implications are discussed.