Earning Respect
It is so sad that female correctional officers are still having problems with male staff. No, guys, female correctional officers are not here for your pleasure. They are not here for a conquest. Female correctional officers are here for a career, just like you are. They have families, just like you. They are professionals, just like you. They go through the same training you do. They can get hurt and killed in this line of work, just like you.
No one knows if they will walk out of work at the end of the shift. If something should happen, I would much rather have a female correctional officer supporting me that I had treated professionally, not someone I had tried to put the make on without taking “no” for an answer.
Respect is an earned thing, and it is one of the few things we can do on our own. Respect yourself and your fellow officers. Leave the kid games at home. If you conduct yourself in a professional manner, you may be surprised at the respect you get back. All staff—and it is really true for female staff—need help, not harassment from you or anyone else. If you are a sergeant, lieutenant or higher, it is your job to protect all your people.
Now, women staff, as with everything, there is a catch. You must act like professionals. If you tell “dirty” jokes and act like one of the boys, don’t be surprised if at least one of the boys puts the make on you. You must also remember that skintight uniforms will draw the eye of every male, staff and inmates. Wearing your clothes too tight will cause you to lose respect.
As I have already said, respect is the one thing in corrections you have to earn. When staff has respect for you, they will be more willing to help and guide you. Inmates on the whole will also give respect to a female officer who earns it, and, like male officers, will put the make on female officers they have no respect for. I’m thankful there are only a few male and female officers who behave like this. Both female and male officers who are looking for a career should be aware of respect and leadership. I have known several female staff who have risen to the top rank and almost all were professional.
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