HOMOGENA ELLER HETEROGENA ARBETSGRUPPER INOM POLISEN : Spelar könssammansättningen någon roll?

Sammanfattning: Historically the world of policing has been a man's world characterized by masculine values and norms. In recent years more and more women have joined the force which has meant positive changes for the Police Authority. At the same time, it has also meant challenges and opportunities for both women and men who now work together. Previous research in the area is complex and is sometimes not entirely clear regarding the effect different types of gender composition have on workgroups. The research field is also in constant development and there may also be cultural differences between different places in the world. This study explores how both women and men experience working in different gender balanced workgroups. By carrying out a qualitative study supported by semi-structured interviews with police employees, a number of questions were asked in order to explore their experiences and investigate possible differences. A total of six women and four men were recruited with a combination of purpose-driven and snowball sampling all working as investigators in the police force in Sweden. All interviews were transcribed, after which the transcripts were coded to finally be analysed according to a thematic analysis. The results show that both women and men want to work in mixed gender groups. The police employees feel that both genders complement each other and contribute with different perspectives and experiences. However, there are many challenges, for example in the form of negative jargon that can arise in homogeneous work groups, but also that women to a greater extent than men experience difficulties in different ways. The women felt that they have to fight harder and work twice as hard to be accepted or to make a career. Both men and women feel that women contribute to an increased focus on the work environment and that they have a greater ability to use verbal communication instead of using violence. Both genders also believe that it is important that the police consist of both women and men so that citizens can identify with the police force and thereby feel trust which also leads to legitimacy.