Exploring police occupational subcultures within Latin America through an atypical case
This article explores how the experiences of atypical police officers can deepen our understanding of police occupational subcultures within Latin America. Specifically, the article examines the narrative of Gigliola Cortés, a former officer in Mexico’s Federal Police. Over the course of her career,...
| Authors: | ; ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Policing and society
Year: 2025, Volume: 35, Issue: 10, Pages: 1316-1334 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Keywords: |
| Summary: | This article explores how the experiences of atypical police officers can deepen our understanding of police occupational subcultures within Latin America. Specifically, the article examines the narrative of Gigliola Cortés, a former officer in Mexico’s Federal Police. Over the course of her career, she participated in transnational policing initiatives, worked in militarised, anti-organised crime operations, whilst navigating challenges associated with being the only woman in a highly masculinised environment. Using a narrative inquiry approach, we explore how her unique position – at the intersection of gender, elite tactical roles, and international collaboration – influenced her professional identity and values. Our findings show that such atypical cases can shed light upon hidden tensions, contradictions, and alternative forms of identity formation within dominant police cultures. We argue that including these narratives allows for a more critical and context-sensitive analysis of policing, particularly within regions that remain underrepresented in academic literature. |
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| ISSN: | 1477-2728 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10439463.2025.2574433 |
