In conversation with Comisaria Principal María Dolores López Sánchez: Chief Commissioner, Head of the Provincial Police Station of the National Police Corps in Córdoba
In a few words, how would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as hardworking, determined, decisive, and goal-oriented. I am focused on achieving the goals I set for myself and believe in. Additionally, I am caring, compassionate, and passionate, particularly about issues I am committed to, such as gender equality. Moreover, I am emotionally invested in matters that hold significance to me, both in my work and personal life.
When you were little, what did you want to be?
When I was little, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to be. However, what I always knew and was clear about was that I wanted to help others. It was my vocation, my purpose in life.
Who was the most influential person in your life?
The person who has influenced me the most in my life has been my father. He has always seen me for who I am, supported me, and encouraged me in my decisions. My father has always been proud of me. Even when I decided to become a police officer, which was not a very common profession for women in Spain at that time, he supported and encouraged me.
What is your motto in life?
My motto has always been to never give up, or in other words, to never take a step back, even when faced with challenges. When I am convinced that something is right and just, I believe in pushing forward with unwavering determination. Furthermore, I believe that in fighting for a cause, sometimes the best defence is a good offense.
What do you say to people who underestimate you, or undervalue women in general?
Don't judge a book by its cover" applies here. We shouldn't let biases dictate the perception that women are weak. Everyone should be given equal opportunities to showcase their worth, regardless of gender, status, or race. People are diverse, and they all have something valuable to contribute.
Sometimes I like to draw the attention of the intransigent to the fact that when mediocre women occupy the same positions in organisations that are currently held by mediocre men, perhaps then we will achieve equality. Because until now, we women have had to prove our ability and work extraordinarily hard to achieve success or to occupy positions, while men are often assumed to possess those abilities inherently.
Women have the capability to accomplish anything they set their minds to, as long as they are provided with equal opportunities. It is crucial to re-evaluate our approach and adopt a gender perspective, considering that women make up more than half of the population. We will not be deterred; our voices must be heard and acknowledged.
In your opinion, what do you think makes someone a good leader?
As I see it, a good leader is someone who excels at bringing people together and forming cohesive teams, while also nurturing the individual strengths of each team member. A good leader provides individuals with the space to grow and develop in their areas of expertise. They support their team and the individuals they lead, believing in their capabilities and working to build their self-esteem. Furthermore, a good leader reinforces trust within the team, creating a foundation of trust and reliability.
How have you helped change the role of women in the law enforcement sector?
My contribution to changing the role of women within the police sector has been twofold. First, I decided to enter a field that had a limited number of women at the time, and I have been able to reach the highest rank in the hierarchy, which is still not very common.
Additionally, I have strived to become a role model for both men and women, demonstrating what women are capable of and the valuable contributions they can make to police organizations. I have worked towards paving the way for other women, showing that they can occupy the same positions and perform the same jobs as men.
Lastly, as a mother of three children, I aim to highlight the fact that we don't have to choose between our family and our career. It is possible to pursue both, given that we strengthen the concept of co-responsibility when it comes to caring for our children and elderly family members. By advocating for shared responsibilities in caregiving, we can ensure that women have the freedom to make choices in both their personal and professional lives.
What steps have been taken, and what steps have you led, to address the gender issue in the police sector, specifically in the Spanish national police?
In response to this question, it is important to highlight the strategy that has been
implemented by the Spanish national police has been put in place to achieve two key
objectives:
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Increasing the representation of women in the national police.
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Facilitating and promoting women's professional advancement within the organization.
To be more specific, organizational measures included:
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The establishment of the National Office for Gender Equality in 2018, serving as an
observatory on gender equality to identify and address any discriminatory practices
or gaps hindering equality.
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The formation of the Human Rights and Equality Area at the national level in 2020,
comprising the National Equality Office and the Human Rights Office, aimed at promoting
and strengthening human rights and gender equality within the police institution.
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The creation of a network of focal points, consisting of 89 individuals who serve
as intermediaries in matters of human rights and equality.
Training measures included:
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The implementation of an extensive and comprehensive training plan on human rights
and equality, not only targeting all categories of police officers within the organization
but also including trainees at the National Police School of the National Police.
This ambitious training plan aims to provide not just knowledge but also awareness
and sensitivity in the field of equality.
Institutional collaboration and cooperation measures included:
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The establishing partnerships and cooperation with other organizations at the national
and international levels to exchange knowledge and best practices, enhancing gender
equality through learning from experiences of others.
Policy measures included:
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The creation of tools to promote an egalitarian organizational culture, such as:
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The development of a protocol for addressing cases of sexual harassment and harassment
based on gender, sex, sexual identity, and orientation.
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The constitution of an internal protocol for addressing gender-based violence when
the perpetrator, the victim, or both are police officers.
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The implementation of specific measures to support pregnant women in their training
to become police officers, aimed at protecting maternity and promoting work-life balance.
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The development of gender impact reports in the regulatory field of the National Police,
leading to the elimination of height as a requirement for access to the National Police.
This demonstrates that the previous height requirement led to discrimination, particularly
against women.
I believe that these measures collectively will advance gender equality and foster
an inclusive and supportive environment within the Spanish national police.
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What mechanisms or measures have you promoted as a leader to ensure that the organisation you work for supports women's careers?
As a leader, I have actively promoted several tools within the national police to
support gender equality and the advancement of women's careers. These include:
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Designing and implementing a comprehensive assessment of equal opportunities for gender
within our organization. This involves collecting disaggregated data to identify any
hidden discrimination or gender gaps that may impede women's professional growth.
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Developing the first equality plan in the national police, which is based on the aforementioned
assessment. This plan encompasses a range of measures aimed at:
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Promoting the presence of women in all categories and areas, ensuring equal opportunities.
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Fostering work-life balance and co-responsibility.
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Preventing and eradicating sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as addressing
gender-based violence.
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Providing targeted training programmes for women in leadership roles and other resources
to enhance their professional development.
By implementing these mechanisms and measures, I strive to create an environment within
the organization that actively supports and empowers women in their career journeys.
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What would you say to a male colleague who has or expresses reservations about working with women and having them as partners?
I would emphasize the importance of giving everyone an equal opportunity to showcase their abilities and succeed in their respective roles. People possess diverse capabilities and strengths, and we have much to learn from one another. It is a mutually beneficial exchange that enriches our experiences.
Moreover, I would highlight that success in policing is not solely reliant on physical abilities. There are numerous other essential personal and professional skills that contribute to the development of the police profession. Recognizing and valuing these skills, regardless of gender, allows for a more comprehensive and effective approach to our work.
Ultimately, it is crucial to foster an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can contribute their unique perspectives and talents for the collective success of the team.
At the institutional level, what reforms do you believe need to be put in place to respond to gender inequalities.
Any institution wanting to address this issue needs to consider fostering diversity and inclusion throughout the organization, strengthening initiatives that promote equal gender opportunities, establishing permanent and dedicated structures within the institution that actively work to ensure equal opportunities and address any instances of discrimination or gender gaps that may exist, providing comprehensive training and sensitization on equality, and lastly, committing to implementing gender mainstreaming in policies and regulatory changes. By undertaking these reforms, institutions can take significant steps toward addressing gender inequalities and fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment.
How do you deal with the naysayers?
I approach naysayers by attempting to demonstrate and educate them about the true meaning and significance of a gender perspective. I provide examples and try to help them understand that equal opportunities between men and women are not only important but also a matter of justice. My goal is to encourage them to become advocates for equality.
What impact can your story have in relation to others leading organizations in charge of tackling and fighting human trafficking and smuggling?
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I believe that sharing my story and the good practices we have implemented can greatly benefit these organizations. By considering the gender perspective and implementing similar measures and changes, they can achieve positive outcomes, such as increasing the number of women interested in joining the police force. This, in turn, can enhance their effectiveness in several areas, including:
- Prevention of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
- Prevention of sexual harassment and discrimination within the organization.
- The quality of assistance and services provided to the public.
By learning from our experiences and applying these principles, other organizations can make significant strides in countering human trafficking and migrant smuggling, ensuring a safer and more inclusive society.
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