Reply #60: Here ya go:

[chiburb]

Female officers comprise approximately 2% of the total Japanese police force. They do not carry firearms and are assigned limited types of tasks despite the existence of an Equal Opportunity Law which prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sex. Though Miyuki and Natsumi are typically drawn carrying various firearms, as made clear in the manga, these weapons are usually elaborate paint or BB guns.

Jobs assigned to women fall into the categories of traffic, social work, and undercover work. Women in the traffic division typically spend their time directing traffic, writing tickets, and impounding illegally parked vehicles. Women assigned to social work usually spend their time giving directions, counseling juveniles, or making presentations on traffic safety and crime prevention. Undercover female officers are usually assigned to combat shoplifting or pick pocketing. While working at the station, female officers usually serve tea to visitors and male officers as Yoriko does in OAV 4.

Despite this apparent "second class" treatment, a greater percentage of Japanese women seek to become police officers than men. Those that are officers take great pride in their work and do not feel discriminated against. This may be do to the fact that female officers do not expect to do anything more than what was mentioned. Furthermore, the Japanese respect working hard; the type work done is secondary.