Career Barriers of Female Police Officer’s and Their Effect on Crime Management in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya

The study has been motivated by increased crimes and insecurity especially in the Nakuru County that was according to this research attributed to the barriers that affect female police officers in their call of duty. The broad objective of this research was to explore personal, organizational, and socio-cultural barriers affecting female police officer’s careers in crime management in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted mixed methods approach utilizing stratified random and purposive sampling techniques to enlist 144 female police officers; 136 main participants and 8 key informants. Data collection involved administering questionnaires to the main participants and conducting in-depth interviews with key informants. Quantitative data was analysed via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). According to the study, personal-level barriers significantly impacting female police officers' careers in crime management include work-life balance, work experience, and education. Organizational barriers affect female police officers' careers in crime management, included leadership culture, policies, and police recognition systems. Further, according to this study police leadership is often characterized by authoritarianism, where command is strictly based on obedience to orders from above (a military-like approach), exerting full control over the team, and subordinates are expected to simply follow and obey rather than offer feedback or contribute ideas. Socio-cultural barriers that affected female police officers' careers in crime management, include societal perception around gender roles and workplace dynamics. Key recommendations, include formation of a robust human resource framework that provides a holistic approach to police staffing and welfare. Furthermore, the study recommends continued structured reforms prioritizing mental wellness like stress management and work-life balance programs.