INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXX December 2025 | Special Issue

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The Role of Women Police Officers in Malaysia

Nik Nor Azeah Nik Azman

, Normadiah Daud

, Nadhirah Nordin

, Maisyarah Rahmi Hasan

Fakulti Pengajian Kontemporari Islam (FKI), University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Gong Badak

Campus, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, MALAYSIA

Sharia Faculty, Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda.

Corresponding Author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.930000044

Received: 10 December 2025; Accepted: 16 December 2025; Published: 26 December 2025

ABSTRACT

The role of women police officers in Malaysia is often obscured by a dominant narrative that tends to prioritize

masculine aspects in law enforcement, leading to their contributions being less visible. This phenomenon creates

a significant gap between public perception and operational reality, where their challenges and effectiveness are

often not encompassed in policy analyses. Previous studies frequently only touched upon demographic aspects

or administrative duties, rarely delving deeply into their strategic potential or social impact, leaving a void in

holistic understanding. Therefore, this conceptual analysis, based on a literature and document review, attempts

to fill that gap. Findings indicate that the presence of women police officers is not merely about fulfilling quotas

it is a necessity. They possess unique capabilities in handling sensitive cases such as abuse and sexual crimes,

offering an unparalleled dimension of empathy. Furthermore, women police officers act as effective connecting

bridges between communities and enforcement agencies, building public trust through a more inclusive

approach. A more inclusive policing approach, acknowledging and leveraging gender advantages, can certainly

enhance the overall legitimacy and effectiveness of the Royal Malaysia Police.

Keywords: Women Police Officers, PDRM, Community Safety, Gender Justice,Institutional Discrimination

INTRODUCTION

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is often portrayed as a rigid entity; a last bastion of order. However, behind

the shields and dark blue uniforms, there is a crack in the long-dominant narrative of masculine prowess namely,

the role of women police officers. Ironically, despite their increasing numbers, strategic recognition

andappropriate deployment remain contentious, often trapped within an outdated bureaucratic cage. Our society,

surprisingly, still grapples with archaic stereotypes about who can wield the baton of justice, denying the

immense potential inherent in this group. Serious questions about their efficiency and scope of duties continue

to arise are they merely filling vacancies, or are they actually key to organizational transformation? This is not

just an issue of numbers. It is a problem of perception.

Most existing studies, unfortunately, fail to look beyond statistical data; they do not succeed in exploring how

the presence of women police officers truly alters operational dynamics, community trust, and even the internal

culture of the PDRM itself. Because of this failure, we lose an understanding of their true contributions especially

in the context of Malaysia's plural and sensitive society as well as the long-term implications for public safety

reform. It is time we dare to ask: are we actually underestimating a large part of our own strength?

LITERATURE REVIEW

The history of women's involvement in policing in Malaysia, as in most post-colonial countries, began with a

clear patriarchal mold merely a supportive role, rarely considered the backbone of operations. Upon its

establishment in 1956, the women police unit was regarded as a social experiment, often limited to administrative

duties or handling cases involving women and children (Hashim & Ahmad, 2018).

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXX December 2025 | Special Issue

Page 335

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This approach, however, has been heavily criticized for effectively diminishing their full potential, making them

a marginal entity within a male-dominated organization. Several scholars, such as Ibrahim (2015), argue that

despite an increase in numbers, deployment and promotion policies are still influenced by subtle gender bias,

preventing women from reaching strategic leadership positions. This view, however, is refuted by some internal

PDRM studies, which point to an increase in female representation in various elite units yet, is this merely

cosmetic or a genuine change? A more critical perspective by Rahman and Omar (2019) suggests that this

'progress' is often driven by international pressure for gender equality, rather than an organic recognition of

women's capabilities themselves. Ironically, most writings on women police officers tend to be descriptive,

outlining established roles for instance, in sexual crime investigations or victim counseling but rarely deeply

analyze their strategic added value beyond these limitations (Lim & Tan, 2021). This criticism leads to questions

about the lack of a comprehensive narrative regarding the effectiveness of women police officers in the context

of crime prevention, community relations, and also as agents of cultural change within the PDRM. Although

some local researchers (e.g., Abdullah, 2020) have touched upon the role of women police officers in 'community

policing' programs, their analyses are often limited to short-term effectiveness, without delving into the broader

impact of social transformation.

Unfortunately, there are still few studies discussing the psychological and sociological challenges faced by

women police officers themselves, how they navigate sometimes hostile organizational structures, or how their

personal experiences shape their work approach a significant gap in the literature. Therefore, the general public's

perception and the views of a few politicians who still doubt the capabilities of women police officers in 'hard'

tasks such as combating organized crime or terrorism, indirectly reflect the failure of existing literature to provide

solid empirical or conceptual evidence to counter these outdated stereotypes (Ismail, 2022). This is not merely

an issue of gender justice. It is about operational efficiency. If we continue to ignore the unique potential brought

by women police officers, especially in aspects of communication, empathy, and conflict resolution, we are

actually disadvantaging the criminal justice system as a whole. Most modern policing models in developed

countries, such as England and Wales (Davies & Francis, 2019), have long integrated gender perspectives into

their training and operational strategies, recognizing that diversity leads to strength. Compare this with Malaysia,

where the debate often still revolves around the justification of their presence, rather than how to optimize their

contributions. This is a worrying sign. Clearly, we need a new framework that goes beyond justifying their

presence, focusing instead on the recognition and optimization of the strategic role of women police officers in

the context of Malaysia's increasingly challenging security context.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study is anchored in the conceptual analysis method, an approach that, while often misunderstood as less

'scientific' compared to empirical studies, actually offers unparalleled intellectual depth. We did not collect new

data. Instead, we constructed, organized, and reinterpreted existing frameworks of ideas within the literature.

This process, indeed, is not merely a library review; it is an intellectual exploration, a diligent effort to unravel

and connect narratives that may have previously been fragmented, even contradictory, regarding the role of

women police officers. Our primary objective was to develop a coherent theoretical synthesis, a conceptual

structure capable of explaining the complexity of women police officers' contributions in Malaysia beyond mere

superficial description. The process of selecting ideas and theories began with a broad collection of relevant

documents police reports, academic journal articles, books, PDRM annual reports, and even policy briefs that

directly or indirectly discussed women in policing. Not all materials were accepted. We deliberately excluded

outdated theories rooted in an era that deemed women unfit for enforcement roles; it was a strict filtering,

focusing on materials with the potential to contribute to a more progressive and critical understanding. Each

document was scrutinized to identify main arguments, implicit assumptions, and presented evidence. We looked

for recurring themes, but more importantly, we detected anomalies and contradictions points where conventional

understanding might falter. This analysis demanded continuous reflective thinking, where we constantly

questioned the 'why' and 'how' behind each argument. This process involved repeated readings, manual thematic

coding, and mapping relationships between concepts. We developed analytical categories such as 'traditional

roles vs. transformative roles', 'institutional challenges', 'community impact', and 'leadership potential'. This was

not merely listing facts. It was a continuous dialogue with the text, a process of translating narratives into

arguments, and arguments into a solid conceptual framework. This conceptual analysis methodology allowed us

not only to identify what has been said but also what has not yet been explored, what remains shrouded in

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXX December 2025 | Special Issue

Page 336

www.rsisinternational.org

ambiguity, and how various fragments of knowledge can be combined to form a richer and more actionable

understanding. Therefore, we argue, this method does not merely 'justify' this study; it is the only reasonable

way to uncover the layers of complexity surrounding the issue of women police officers' roles, yielding a more

profound and critical perspective on their true reality.

FINDINGS

The role of women police officers, often trivialized, extends beyond merely filling vacancies. They are not just

symbols of gender equality. Instead, their presence brings a dimension of operational efficiency rarely openly

acknowledged — especially in cases requiring high empathy. For example, in investigations of sexual crimes or

child abuse, victims often feel more comfortable communicating with female officers, a phenomenon that cannot

be underestimated; this accelerates the investigation process and improves the quality of testimony, a tactical

advantage that is very significant. Moreover, their ability to build community trust is highly prominent. Women

police officers often become the friendly face of the PDRM at the grassroots level, involved in public awareness

programs and dialogue sessions, breaking down walls of fear or suspicion that often surround public interaction

with authorities. This approach, dominated by non-confrontational communication, organically generates

institutional legitimacy among local residents. However, despite these significant contributions, they still

struggle with rigid organizational structures. Their deployment is often not strategic. Many are still limited to

desk or administrative duties, neglecting talents and skills that could be utilized on the front lines, a highly

concerning waste of resources.

Gender discrimination, whether overt or covert such as limited promotion opportunities or skeptical views of

their capabilities in demanding fields still haunts their careers. There are also dual pressures they face:

challenging professional duties and societal expectations regarding women's roles in the family, a complex

challenge requiring better institutional support. Nevertheless, their potential as agents of cultural change within

the PDRM itself cannot be overlooked. With increasing numbers, their presence is slowly changing work

dynamics and interactions within the force, fostering a more inclusive and less toxic environment. This is the

seed of organizational transformation that may be slow, but certain. Women police officers are a critical asset

that, if given appropriate opportunities and support, can be a catalyst for a PDRM that is more responsive,

relevant, and respected by Malaysia's plural society.

DISCUSSION

The implications of these findings for the policing arena in Malaysia are highly significant - far beyond mere

trivial discussions about gender equality. The presence of women police officers, as we have found, does not

merely embellish statistics, but actively transforms operational dynamics and public perception of the PDRM, a

phenomenon that policy makers should take seriously. We have long been trapped in a traditional mindset that

equates physical strength with law enforcement effectiveness, a view that is now proven obsolete and irrelevant

in the context of increasingly sophisticated modern crime. The advantage of women police officers in handling

sensitive cases, especially those involving vulnerable victims, signals a drastic paradigm shift. This is not about

force. This is about wisdom, empathy, and the ability to build bridges of trust, something that cannot be achieved

with handcuffs or a pistol alone. Is it not ironic that we are still grappling with archaic stereotypes while the

world of crime has long evolved? There is a strong possibility that the refusal or reluctance to fully recognize

this potential stems from deep-rooted institutional inertia, where hierarchical structures and patriarchal culture

serve as formidable barriers. The perception that women police officers are only suitable for 'soft' duties not only

disadvantages the women themselves but also harms the PDRM as a whole, by allowing this valuable asset to

remain underutilized and untapped. We need to re-examine the validity of policing theories that underpin the

training and deployment of our officers. Are we truly teaching them to think holistically, or merely to follow

outdated procedures? It is time we review the training curriculum, introducing more in-depth modules on victim

psychology, cross-cultural communication, and conflict management areas where women police officers often

demonstrate superiority. This is not just about giving them the same training as men. It is about giving them

*better* and *more relevant* training for the needs of contemporary society. Furthermore, the role of women

police officers as community liaisons is an invaluable strategic advantage. In a plural society like Malaysia,

where issues of trust between the public and authorities are often tenuous, their presence can be a calming agent,

fostering better dialogue and understanding. This will lead to better intelligence gathering, higher crime

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXX December 2025 | Special Issue

Page 337

www.rsisinternational.org

reporting, and ultimately, a reduction in crime rates. Perhaps, a large part of the crime problems that are difficult

to curb today stem from the institution's failure to build strong relationships with the community, and this is

where women police officers can play a critical role. Therefore, if the PDRM is serious about modernizing itself

and becoming a more relevant and responsive force for the needs of the 21st century, then they must actively

passively enhance the role and contributions of women police officers. This requires comprehensive policy

changes, starting from recruitment, training, deployment, and promotion systems. Ignoring this potential will not

only cause the PDRM to continue lagging but also undermine their legitimacy and effectiveness in the eyes of

society. Perhaps, this reluctance to change is actually the most dangerous enemy to the policing institution itself.

CONCLUSION

The debate about the role of women police officers in Malaysia, as explored, extends far beyond superficial

rhetoric of gender equality. In fact, it touches upon the core of PDRM's effectiveness, legitimacy, and relevance

in an ever-changing and increasingly complex society. We found that women police officers are not merely

complementary; they are critical assets offering clear tactical and strategic advantages, especially in handling

sensitive cases and building community trust. This is not an option. This is a necessity. Failure to fully recognize

and integrate their potential not only wastes valuable human resources but also weakens PDRM's ability to

function efficiently and effectively across the full spectrum of law enforcement duties. This leaves PDRM in a

vulnerable state. There is a strong recommendation that PDRM needs to conduct a comprehensive audit of

deployment and promotion policies for female officers, ensuring equal opportunities and optimal placement

based on skills, not stereotypes. Internal education and awareness about the value of gender diversity also need

to be enhanced, starting from the recruit level up to the highest leadership echelons, to erode long-entrenched

biases. For future studies, it is crucial to conduct empirical research that quantitatively examines the impact of

women police officers' presence on the resolution rates of specific crimes, particularly sexual crimes and

domestic abuse. Such research should also compare public perceptions of PDRM in areas with high female police

representation versus those with less, providing more concrete data to support this conceptual argument. Failure

to act now, to make the necessary structural changes, will mean that PDRM will continue to struggle in the

shadow of outdated stereotypes, losing a golden opportunity to become a modern institution that truly represents

and protects all segments of society.

Based on the findings, several policy implications are proposed for the Royal Malaysia Police. First, a systematic

audit of deployment practices should be conducted to ensure skills-based rather than gender-based assignments.

Second, promotion pathways should be reviewed to address structural barriers limiting women’s advancement

into leadership roles.

Third, training curricula should be enhanced to include modules on victim psychology, community engagement,

and conflict resolution. Finally, institutional awareness programs should be implemented to address implicit

gender bias and promote an inclusive organizational culture.

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ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXX December 2025 | Special Issue

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