Pregnant Officer Policies

Beginning of article

Women make up about 12% of sworn law enforcement officers nationwide. But even though most departments actively recruit women for their ranks, a large number of qualified female officers leave law enforcement after becoming pregnant or giving birth. Not all of them are simply electing to stay at home with their newborns: many feel they are not welcomed in the profession once they become pregnant.

Adrienne Burfield worked as a deputy for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDCSD) for nine years, specializing in traffic investigations and safety. In 1987, she informed her supervisors she was pregnant. They immediately sent her to the Communications Division and put to work in …