TOPIC: DISCRIMINATION

SUB-TOPIC: Gender discrimination is still very much prevalent in law enforcement, today.

THESIS: The discrimination of personnel belonging to diverse gender categories and

working within law enforcement, is still prevalent in today’s society. Even though various
authorities have found that sexual orientation and gender identity share no relationship with
workplace performance, persons who fit within these categories still fall victim of
discrimination. The categories aforementioned can accommodate law enforcement personnel
who fit within the range of identities that do not correspond with the established ideas of male
and female. They also facilitate those that do fit within the established ideas previously
mentioned, but more specifically aimed at females, working within law enforcement. All
things considered, the impact of discrimination upon these minority groups, within law
enforcement, results in poor performance, amongst other saddening factors. In essence

Discrimination is still being inflicted upon law enforcement personnel who fit within the range
of identities that do not correspond with the established ideas of male and female. Such o fficers
are often taunted by fellow work colleagues and even the citizens that they protect and serve.
They are made to feel unsafe because of hostile working environments and unwillingness of
other personnel to work alongside them. About 2 years ago, a conversation between a friend and
I who happens to be a Police officer revealed that he tries his best to conceal his sexual identity
due to the things his colleagues would usually say as it relates to members of the LGBT
community. This conversation became apparel when a close colleague of mine was called into
question and ridiculed by her superiors because of her sexual preferences. This level of
discrimination in her work place led her to seek new employment outside of Law Enforcement.

Relatively, females in law enforcement, regardless of orientation, tend to feel the blunt of
discrimination by their superiors and male counterparts. This bigotry usually takes the form of
mediocre tasks being given to the women and them being shunned for certain operations based
on perceived physical ‘disabilities’. In many instances, the preconceived notions about women in
law enforcement has led to some being overlooked or turned down for promotions, regardless of
their credentials. How many Law Enforcement agencies in Guyana have ever been headed by a
female? Making matters worse, discrimination against women in the workplace never ends with
the aforementioned points, but almost always include women being subjected to unwanted
sexual advances by their male counterparts who take them less seriously within law enforcement.

Do you believe that much thought has really been given by senior officials in Law Enforcement
as it relates to gender discrimination in such workplaces? Have they ever really stopped to
consider the real impact that discrimination has upon persons of different gender categories?
Many of the affected abuse substances have high levels of stress and low self esteem and very
often grow an unwillingness to execute job tasks or seek other employment. The ultimate result
of discrimination in any work place is depression and according to a survey carried out in
2018, by the Guyana Police Force, the female to male ratio for leaving the job is comparatively
higher than that of males. The reasons they found for this occurrence were similar to those
aforementioned. As such, policies need to be revised, consideration needs to be given for all,
and measures need to be put in place to prevent discrimination against gender minorities in
these workplaces.

In essence women and persons who identify differently tend to suffer the most in Law
Enforcement workplaces than their perceived ‘straight, male’ counterparts. They have over the
years felt the stench of work place discrimination at all levels. Policy makers and senior
officials in Law Enforcement need to make it their duty to find ways to make all feel included
in the workplace. Everyone, regardless of gender identity or sex, needs to feel included and as
part of a team. Given the fact that law enforcement is such a crucial discipline, it is imperative
that on the job satisfaction is a ‘thing’ for everyone.