Women Facing Inappropriate Police Behavior at Traffic Stops

         Since the 60s, police brutality has been a common social issue in the U.S. The excessive and unwanted use of force by law enforcement is usually towards women and certain ethnicities. Women are more likely to interact with a police officer than men. In 2015, there was about 12 million police initiated contacts with police and "for every woman arrested, five more women were approached by police, either in a traffic stop, street stop, or in the execution of an arrest warrant"(Police Prison Initiative 2019). In those encounters with police, more than half have been a victim on inappropriate police behavior. Inappropriate police behavior and brutality at traffic stops can be prevented with proper police training and informing women on their rights. 

                                              A woman being pulled over by an officer, https://www.newsweek.com/

        Women who have been a victim of inappropriate police behavior were in the car when the accident occured. These incidents involve sexual harassment, false ticket reports, or unwanted physical contact from an officer. In a 2010 study on police misconduct, "Sexual misconduct was the second most common form of misconduct reported"(THE CATO INSTITUTE’S NATIONAL POLICE MISCONDUCT REPORTING PROJECT 2010 Annual Report). In these sexual misconduct cases a women was pulled over by an officer; facing both verbal and physical abuse. 

    The police system can prevent and protect women from inappropriate police behavior by informing officers how to act during traffic stops. Placing procedures on traffic stops can have a set order on how to give out tickets or deal with drivers. The Philadelphia Police Department follows a vehicle or pedestrian directive for traffic stops. This directive gives steps and procedures to follow for traffic enforcement and reportings. The "Traffic Enforcement/Vehicle Investigation Procedure" gives a step by step on how a officer should act during a traffic stop, "A police officer or law enforcement officer may initiate a motor vehicle stop and, at their discretion, cite a driver for a violation of a primary violation observed within the City of Philadelphia"(Directive 12.8-3). If all officers followed the traffic procedures, incidents of inappropriate police behavior would be non existent.

    Even Though it is an officer's job to know the procedures and laws, women can also learn their rights for traffic stops and reports. Being informed on what to do at a traffic stop can help prevent an altercation with the police. Knowing the Fourth Amendment can useful for a female driver who has been pulled over. A traffic stop could be "considered a seizure under the Fourth Amendment and in order to be shown as reasonable, the officer needs to show that there is reasonable suspicion to pull over your car" (King Law Office). If a woman is pulled over, she is able to state her rights and the fourth amendment to protect her from police contact. 

                                                          The Fourth Amendment can prevent a car search (Findlaw.com)

        Inappropriate police behavior against women has been a reoccurring issue in the United States. For traffic stops, women are more likely to interact with an officer than men. In these interactions, in most cases a woman has dealt with verbal or sexual harassment from an officer. Informing and enforcing the police system on procedures and woman knowing their rights can prevent future incidents.

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