Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) - Tempe police are looking for a few good women.
In an effort to increase the number of females on the force, Tempe police are holding a Women’s Policing Expo on Saturday.
There are 49 women who are sworn officers in Tempe, making up 14 percent of the 337-member force.
Females account for 9 percent of Mesa officers and 8 percent in Chandler, according to police department statistics.
“We really want our police force to mirror the community to some degree so people trust you and have confidence that you understand them and their issues,” Tempe Assistant Police Chief Laura Forbes said.
At the expo, women can learn firsthand that they can handle the equipment and physical requirements of police work.
They also can observe demonstrations by female officers on SWAT, canine and mounted team operations, and they will be able to use police equipment and fire a gun at the shooting range.