Women are vastly underrepresented in the top ranks of federal law enforcement agencies, according to a new internal watchdog report.
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz issued a report Tuesday, which says women accounted for just 39 percent of the work force in the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2016.
Also in 2016, the IG found women accounted for just 16 percent of criminal investigators in the agencies despite accounting for 57 percent of the rest of the agencies’ workforce.
Far less surprising was Horowitz’s findings on how men and women viewed gender equity differently.
“We found that a majority of male staff, but a minority of female staff, felt their component was gender equitable and/or that gender equity was improving,” the report concluded. “Specifically, female criminal investigators believed that there was ongoing gender discrimination in their agencies or offices. A significant number of women across agencies and position types reported in our survey, interviews, and focus groups that they had experienced gender discrimination and differing treatment in some form, including in promotions and other workplace opportunities.”
The IG said it was also “troubling” that all staff reported that personnel decisions were driven more by “who you know” than by merit.
The report recommended the four law enforcement agencies change how they recruit, hire, and retain staff.
“We agree it is important to address the concerns and negative perceptions related to gender equity within the various DOJ law enforcement components, for the FBI to identify and address any barriers for women in hiring and promotion activities,” FBI acting section chief Thomas Seiler wrote in a response to the report.
