NSW crimefighting recruitment campaign cops a Barbie backlash

NSW police are copping a backlash in the ranks after a social media post comparing female members of the Force to Barbie sparks an outcry.

The NSW Police Force is copping a fierce public backlash after a social media post comparing female members to Barbie sparked an outcry.

The pictures posted to Instagram in one instance show a female dog squad member with a pink background under the words: “This Barbie is working with her best friend”.

The post, from Thursday, was captioned “life in plastic might be fantastic, but it’s not as good as life in the NSW Police”

Dozens of comments have piled in, some of whom claimed to be from working police officers, slamming the post.

One of the images used in the posts.

One commentator said the idea was condescending to women serving in the Force.

Many said it missed the mark in an attempt to recruit more women into the Force.

One commentator on Instagram wrote: “As a woman in policing, your “Barbie” campaign has missed the mark and comes across as condescending.

“I would hope to empower other women to join the job because they are intelligent, strong, resilient, compassionate and confident individuals, not liken it to a superficial, flaky plastic fantastic toy even if Barbie is the flavour of the month. Do better NSWPOL.”

Many said the images missed the mark in an

attempt to recruit more women into the force.

Another wrote: “As an ex police woman I find it degrading to be honest. I’d love to see Barbie with her beautiful long manicured nails try and take someone down and cuff them lol.

“Unless of course tomorrow shift she reports in as Ken. That could well happen”.

Another commentator said: “It’s hard enough being taken seriously as a female in the job, by the public and management, posts referring to females as Barbie doesn’t exactly help.

It’s a far cry from the good recruitment days of the ‘he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’ videos.”

But other commentators took the promotional campaign as it appears to have been intended - light heartedly.

“You can’t have fun anymore apparently. People actively seek out ways to hate,” said one.

“I love this post and you must have fun at work to keep motivated but also be ready to switch it up when needed and out on your game face. Which police do. They have an awful stressful role. Let them have some enjoyment,” wrote another.