The lived experiences of African American women who attained high level positions in law enforcement

This research study explored the underrepresentation of African American female police officers that held the rank of (a) lieutenant, (b) sergeant, or (c) senior corporal in one rural police agency and two county sheriff's departments in a southeastern state. The primary problem investigated was that female police officers in general and specifically African American female police officers were underrepresented in promotions through the ranks in police departments in America. A phenomenological qualitative research design was employed to explore the influences and barriers encountered by factors that affect African American female police officers from the decision to work in law enforcement to their current positions. Information to answer the research question and subquestions was obtained from individual semi-structured interviews with 14 African American female police officers that had attained high ranking positions in law enforcement.