“Exploring police officers’ perceptions of their female colleagues in Uttar Pradesh, India: a phenomenological analysis”

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore Indian police officers’ perceptions of their female colleagues through Bourdieu and Chan’s framework of habitus, practice, field, and capital. We interviewed 12 police officers in Allahabad, India, who were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. We translated, transcribed and coded their interviews from Hindi to English. Applying Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, we identified two major themes: (1) the work of women is consistently devalued in policing culture; and (2) patriarchal sentiments influence police officers’ views towards their female colleagues. This study expands our understanding of the prevalent gender bias against female police officers in India. Findings may assist in redesigning policies and interventions that reduce gender bias and discrimination within Indian police organisations.