This research study was undertaken with the overall objective of analysing the gender responsiveness of Sri Lanka’s Police service. The discourse on gender equality has long established that women and men have distinct needs in society. Women’s needs often remain unmet because what may seem like gender-blind or gender-neutral mechanisms and processes, in fact can be either insensitive to women’s specific needs or even discriminate against women. The gender responsiveness of a country’s police service can be evaluated using three inter-related measures: (1) the availability of services and mechanisms specifically designed and put in place to respond to the issues and concerns of women in the community and, in the case of this study, children; (2) the number of women in the police service; and (3) the commitment to the principles and values of gender equality within the institution’s internal structures, processes, and mechanisms. These measures have been developed with the understanding that there is a need for more women in all ranks of the police service because women tend to be more sensitive to women’s issues and concerns, and can respond more effectively to the gendered aspect of these needs, especially gender-based violence. More women in the police service is meaningless, however, without a commitment to building an institution that is non-discriminatory, reflective of the diversity of citizens, and accountable to the population at large. Overall, the nature of policing has changed over the past decades. In the past maintaining law and order was understood to be about exerting authority and providing services. The shift towards a more proactive style of policing—‘community policing—has reconceptualised the nature of policing. In addition to physical strength, what is considered more important and prioritised is good ethical character, and excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. These traits cannot be thought of as ‘male’ or ‘female’. However, existing research shows that women tend to demonstrate these qualities when working with law and order more than their male counterparts.