Today’s law enforcement profession is comprised of courageous and talented men and women, with women making some special and valuable contributions. Although law enforcement is still a male-dominated profession, women are becoming police officers in greater numbers, and their contributions are being recognized. These contributions may be lost if law enforcement agencies fail to recognize that police officers are entitled to become parents, because the officers may otherwise be forced to choose between their profession and parenthood.

The job of a law enforcement officer is one that involves emotional stress, intellectual challenge, and physical demands. It is a profession that requires the talents of people whose personal resources include courage, integrity, and equilibrium. An effective law enforcement officer may be required to perform more than 600 essential functions, many of which require a high level of physical fitness.