Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination

Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination Recommendations for the Mexico City Police Department My Linh Do, Bill Schmitt, Julia Styles, Hsiu-Ching Wang, Zach Wincek, and Amber Zeddies

Overview • Problem Definition • Policy Goals • Evaluative Criteria • Status Quo • Alternative Policy Measures • Recommendations

Problem Definition • Inadequate measures to deal with sexual harassment and gender discrimination in MCPD

Reduce the incidence of sexual harassment and gender discrimination within the Mexico City Police Department Policy Goal

Evaluative Criteria • Effectiveness at achieving the goal • Cost • Overall benefits to the force • Feasibility • Time horizon

Status Quo • 14% of officers in MCPD are women • Negative public perception of MCPD • MCPD is undergoing major reform • Sexual harassment and discrimination occur in many forms • Weak internal enforcement

Alternative Policy Measures • Professionalization • Strengthening existing enforcement mechanisms • External oversight • Sexual harassment and gender discrimination training • Support networks for women officers • Greater integration and promotion of women officers

Professionalization • Improve training • Rigorous hiring standards • Code of ethics and professional conduct • Clearly defined paths to career advancement • Incentive systems to encourage excellence in public service

Strengthening Existing Mechanisms • Communicating policies • Reporting • Investigation • Enforcement • Discipline

External Oversight • Different forms of external oversight • Public accountability • Access to information • Effective means of revealing, investigating, and resolving complaints of police misconduct • Improved police image in the community

Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination Training • Training teaches supervisors and employees how to: • recognize negative effects of sexual harassment and discrimination • prevent their occurrence • enforce official policy • report violations

Internal Mentoring Professional development Role of mentors External Support Groups Civil society organizations Public institutions Support Networks

Greater Integration and Promotion of Women • Male-dominated profession of policing • Benefits of female officers • Targeted recruitment of female candidates • Equal opportunities for promotion

Evaluation

Recommendations • Three distinct stages: • Immediate measures • Medium-term policies • Long-term goals

Immediate Measures • Establish a policy • Promote the policy • Start a support network • Enhance external oversight

Medium-Term Policies • Train supervisors • Train the entire force • Start a mentorship program • Strengthen reporting and investigation mechanisms

Long-Term Goals • Recruit and promote more women • Continue professionalization

Thank you for your attention. Questions?

Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination