Investigating Sexual Harassment in Law Enforcement and Nontraditional Fields for Women [Paperback]

Penny E. Harrington (Author), Kimberly A. Lonsway (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131185195 | ISBN-13: 978-0131185197 | Publication Date: January 16, 2006 | Edition: 1

Drawing from empirical research and years of practical experience, this new text provides guidance on how to investigate sexual harassment in policing & firefighting.  Written for practitioners by professionals in the field of law enforcement & victim advocacy, this text takes a conversational tone through the investigative processes of sexual harassment complaints.  With sexual harassment law often changing, this text gives a current look at timely topics.  The text addresses a wide range of issues including proactive measures like prevention and training, retaining a positive tone on issues of sensitive nature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (January 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131185195
• ISBN-13: 978-0131185197
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,392,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid tips from an expert!, January 27, 2006

By 

Marion E. Gold "Book Author & Editorial Writer" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Investigating Sexual Harassment in Law Enforcement and Nontraditional Fields for Women (Paperback)

I can't think of a better person to shed light on the problem of sexual harassment - and to offer effective solutions - than Penny Harrington. Harrington spent twenty-two years in the Portland Police Bureau, joining in 1964 right out of college at age twenty-two. She was assigned to the Women's Protective Division-the ONLY place women in the bureau were permitted to work. She fought her way up the ranks, becoming the bureau's first woman sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. In 1985, when she was named chief of police, she entered the history books as the first woman in the United States to achieve that rank in a major city. As Chief of the Portland Oregon Police Bureau, she enacted training programs that increased the diversity and the effectiveness of the bureau - and put in place training programs on cross-cultural communications that improved relations with Portland's minority community. (These are described in great detail in Harrington's 1999 autobiography, "Triumph of Spirit.")

Harrington is still regarded by some as a maverick who challenges the system, and by others as a mentor who works tirelessly to improve law enforcement hiring practices and principles. "Investigating Sexual Harassment..." is one more way Harrington is taking the lead in trying to help law enforcement agencies and others address this critical problem. Kudos to Harrington and Lonsway for writing this important book. (Reviewed by Marion E. Gold, author of "Top Cops: Profiles of Women in Command.")

5.0 out of 5 stars Investigating Sexual Harassment, June 5, 2007

By 

M. Renahan (Morristown, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Investigating Sexual Harassment in Law Enforcement and Nontraditional Fields for Women (Paperback)

Investigating Sexual Harassment in Law Enforcement is a must needed addition to the police leaders' tool kit. The information is presented in a focused, easy to read, yet thorough manner that will enable scholars and practitioners the opportunity to apply the information in both an academic and policy making setting. This well written manual provides critical information for any individual who has bears a responsibility for the quality of life and organizational culture in today's law enforcement community.

The authors identify issues and concerns that Police Executives, Mid-level Managers, First Line supervisors as well as Internal Affairs investigators, union leaders, and a host of others have voiced over the years. The chapters are organized and well written, and the experiences of both authors in this discipline contribute to the clarity and focus of the writing.

The authors bring to the front several significant issues for police officials to consider and strongly emphasize that a solid positive organizational quality-of-life cannot be developed or maintained without command emphasis (leadership) and involvement by the entire chain of command. For example, the authors discuss why the proper selection and training of the investigator is critical, not only to the investigation, but also to the relationship between the victim/complainant and the agency. Further discussions look at the complaint process and discuss the differences and similarities between a traditional "Criminal Investigation" and the complaint process for a "Civil Investigation".

While the differences and similarities between the two types of investigations are significant, it is also critical to remember that the rights of a victim and the information gathered from the victim is critical to a successful resolution of the incident regardless of the type of incident. Police Officials depend on cooperation from the victim. By being sensitive to the victim during the investigation and by conducting a thorough, effective investigation the agency will have taken a significant step in reducing further acts of discrimination.

The text provides an in depth approach to addressing Sexual Harassment and Workforce Discrimination. The first four chapters address foundation material such as Federal and State laws, Gender and Harassment Discrimination and Retaliation. The next four chapters address Preventing Sexual Harassment, Developing a Comprehensive Sexual Harassment Policy, Development of an Effective Training Program, and the Responsibilities of Supervisors and Managers. Subsequent chapters focus on the Complaint Process, Employee Options, Selection and training of the Investigator, Interview process for complainant, respondents, witnesses as well as documenting the Investigation. The final chapters address the Determination and Imposition of Discipline, Sexual Orientation Harassment, Same Gender Harassment, Computer Harassment, Harassment by or towards non employees,

The authors have provided a one-stop resource for addressing the issue of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the law enforcement workplace. Accurate information regarding this process and its legal requirement and application, will help bridge the gap and provide a mechanism for positive organizational culture in any law enforcement agency.
Investigating Sexual Harassment in Law Enforcement and Nontraditional Fields for Women is essential reading for law enforcement leaders, managers and supervisors, union officials and all others who are concerned with the quality of life within a law enforcement organization.



Reviewed by
Dr. Michael J. Renahan
Assistant Professor
College of Saint Elizabeth
Morristown, New Jersey