"‘Waste of Taxes’ Again Raised in ‘Female Police Officer Uselessness’ Debate... Fatigue Over Exhaustive Gender Conflicts"

The Recurring 'Female Police Officer Uselessness Theory'
Expert: "Discussion Should Extend to the Entire Police Force Rather Than Criticizing Female Officers"

A photo capturing police officers restraining an intoxicated person was posted on an online community last month on the 30th. Controversy over the "female police officer uselessness theory" arose because a female officer did not participate in the restraint. It is known that this female officer was involved in evidence collection work. / Photo by Online Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The debate over the "uselessness of female police officers" has flared up again after a photo showing a female police officer seemingly standing by while holding a cellphone at the scene of a drunken person being subdued was posted on an online community. The police explained that the female officer in the photo was a trainee and was performing her duty under orders to collect evidence, but criticism toward the female officer has not ceased.

The controversy over the uselessness of female police officers has arisen in the past as well. Generally, claims were made that female officers responded poorly during on-site incidents, leading to assertions that "female officers are useless." However, many point out that such controversies tend to spiral into unproductive gender conflicts rather than solving the actual problems. Experts suggest that raising the uselessness argument regarding female officers in relation to on-site response issues is inappropriate and that discussions should instead focus on strengthening the police's practical response capabilities.

On the 30th of last month, a post titled "Today's K Female Officer" was uploaded on an online community. The post included seven photos from a scene of a drunken disturbance on a road in Cheongju, Chungbuk. In the photos, while a male officer was subduing the intoxicated person, a female officer was seen holding a cellphone at a slight distance.

Judging only from the photos in the post, the female officer did not participate in restraining the intoxicated person, and only the male officers were involved. It was presumed that the female officer was filming the situation.

Comments on the post poured criticism on the female officer. Netizens reacted with remarks such as "What is their real reason for existence?" "What do they do as members of society?" and "They are a waste of taxpayers' money." Some even directed harsh insults and mockery at the female officer.

As the controversy spread, the police explained that the female officer acted according to the manual. According to a News1 report on the 31st of last month, the police stated that the female officer was not a full-fledged police officer but a trainee who was collecting evidence under the orders of a superior.

A police official said, "Since it was initially a simple case of handling a drunken person, only one team including the trainee was dispatched to the scene. However, as the intoxicated person resisted strongly, evidence collection became necessary," adding, "It is not true that an active female officer was standing by idly at the scene." Nevertheless, despite the police's explanation, criticism toward the female officer continues on the post to this day.

Female police officers suppressing protesters in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul last April. Photo by Online Community

The controversy over the uselessness of female police officers has erupted several times in the past. Five months ago, in April, a video showing nine female officers restraining a protester in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was released on an online community, sparking controversy. The police explained at the time, "We tried to minimize the use of physical force, which is why multiple officers were involved, and the same number would have been needed even if they were male officers," but ridicule such as calling it "bee suppression" continued.

The reason the uselessness debate resurfaces repeatedly seems to stem from the perceived physical ability gap between female and male officers. There is a perception that female officers are inherently weaker in physical strength and force than male officers. However, police officers working on the ground point out that the uselessness argument is based on some isolated facts.

Police officer Kim (33) said, "Saying female officers are completely unnecessary just because they don't respond well in some situations is neither realistic nor correct," adding, "Most who argue the uselessness of female officers judge based on limited facts. Generally, such cases do not occur."

Another police officer in his 30s, Kang, said, "I often work outside and perform duties requiring physical force, and in the scenes I have been to, I have never seen a female officer do nothing," adding, "However, since men and women are physically different by nature, there are parts that need to be handled appropriately according to the situation."

Some citizens also express fatigue over the uselessness debate. This is because hateful attacks that fuel gender conflicts abound rather than offering fundamental solutions or alternatives. Office worker Park (29) said, "If female officers really disappeared as the uselessness argument claims, would the problem be solved?" adding, "If there are issues with on-site response, criticism is warranted, but blindly criticizing based on the prejudice that women are weak will not change anything."

Experts suggest that the current controversy should lead to discussions aimed at strengthening the police's practical response rather than blaming all female officers.

Oh Yoonseong, a professor of Police Administration at Soonchunhyang University, said, "Citizens have a sharp view of the police. There is an expectation of how the police should respond on the scene," adding, "However, it is impossible to judge that the female officer's response was wrong based on just a few photos. Even if there were problems in the response, not all female officers should be condemned."

He continued, "If problems arise in on-site response, instead of raising the uselessness argument, education for the police should be strengthened, and manuals and systems should be reorganized," emphasizing, "Whether female or male officers, they must meet the physical requirements suitable for the special nature of police work and mission execution."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.