Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Lived Experience of African American Women Leaders in Georgia Law Enforcement: Advances, Barriers, and Impact on Performance

Hughes, Juantisa X.
http://orcid.org/0009-0003-8460-2235
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1719960304296498

Abstract Details

2024, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
Law enforcement is a male-dominated field that has been slow to accept and promote African American women to positions of authority. As of 2016, there were only 3.1% Lieutenants and Sergeants, along with 1.6% Captains or higher that were African American women in the United States (Gomez, 2016). More recently, there has not been much change, as women are reportedly only 12% of the sworn officers and 3% of law enforcement leadership in the United States (Tumulty, 2023). Of that number, only 1% of African American women hold the position of Lieutenant or higher (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives [ATF], 2023). There are subtle barriers that women and minorities experience that keep them from moving up in the management hierarchy of law enforcement. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of African American women law enforcement supervisors related to the barriers encountered during their career, especially with promotion, and vital skills necessary for job performance. The study assessed advances, impacts on performance, peer intimidation, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other barriers that African American women face while pursuing top-level positions in law enforcement. The study included interviewing eight African American women law enforcement officers in Georgia, active duty and retired, that have held the positions of Commissioner, Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Detective, Sergeant, and or Corporal. The following five themes emerged as a representation of their perceptions: (a) “Obstacles”: Operation Stumbling Blocks, (b) “Sabotage”: Monkey Wrench in the Works, (c) “Jealousy”: The Green-Eyed Monster, (d) “Overlooked”: Privy Passover, and (e) “Combative/ Overly Aggressive”: Angry Black Woman Syndrome. This study also has implications for lawmakers, departmental leads, and all level agencies of law enforcement to eliminate barriers, increase diversity, and practice equality for the advancement for African American women. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).
Stewart Burns, PhD (Committee Chair)
Diane Allerdyce, PhD (Committee Member)
Nadine Wheat, PhD (Committee Member)
115 p.
African Americans; Gender; Philosophy
African American women; law enforcement; leadership; bias; barriers; discrimination; diversity; Georgia; women police officers; performance; angry black women; race; gender

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hughes, J. X. (2024). The Lived Experience of African American Women Leaders in Georgia Law Enforcement: Advances, Barriers, and Impact on Performance [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1719960304296498

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hughes, Juantisa. The Lived Experience of African American Women Leaders in Georgia Law Enforcement: Advances, Barriers, and Impact on Performance. 2024. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1719960304296498.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hughes, Juantisa. "The Lived Experience of African American Women Leaders in Georgia Law Enforcement: Advances, Barriers, and Impact on Performance." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1719960304296498

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1719960304296498
93
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.