Webinar- Equality and Feminist Leadership in Policing

Equality and Feminist Leadership in Policing: Changing Leadership Culture in Environments where Power and Respect are Rooted in Dominance and Authority

This webinar will explore the theory of equality and feminist leadership in policing. We will discuss law enforcement’s conception of power and leadership in work environments that is inextricably linked to lopsided social and cultural structures that marginalize women. Feminist Leadership is leadership that recognizes equality, mutuality and the absence of sex role behaviors. Current questionable leadership norms reinforce hierarchies and often employee potential and capability is viewed through a biased lens shaped by stereotypes about gender, sex, race, class, and origin. Because “feminist leadership”, leadership based on equal rights, is about collective power and relationship-building, it requires that those in positions of power take on roles of empowering and mentoring those around them. A feminist leader impacts their followers because they create a caring environment in which all can feel safe; a feminist leader is known for their genuine concern for others, they are nurturing, unbiased, and always looking to build teams with diversity of lens. These leaders build others first and are leading change through collaboration and inclusion.

The Feminist Leader (many of which are men) recognizes equality, mutuality, denies gender role behaviors, challenges systemic bias at every level and embraces the ethos of care. This webinar will explore how the theory of feminist leadership values community and relationship building instead of dominance and authority as a measure of success, discusses Personal Power vs. Organizational Power, flattening the hierarchy and eliminating platforms.

This webinar is presented by Monique Rollin, Inspector (retired) of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service who retired at 32 years’ service in the first senior command position held by a female officer in her Police Service. Monique has been published in Canadian law enforcement publications including the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police HQ Magazine on Feminist Leadership, in Canada’s Blueline Magazine on Power in the Workplace and has spoken at the International Association of Women Police on Feminist Leadership in Policing.