For women in law enforcement, success is rarely achieved alone. Having the right people in your corner — mentors, sponsors, allies and professional peers — can make the difference between surviving in the profession and thriving as a leader. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts. It’s about intentionally building relationships that support your growth, amplify your voice and open doors to opportunity. Here’s a six-step guide to effective networking.
Step 1: Find mentors, sponsors and allies
Every woman needs all three, and each plays a different role in your career.
- Mentors guide and advise. They share hard-earned lessons and help you develop as a professional.
- Sponsors advocate for you in rooms where decisions are made. They recommend you for promotions, high-visibility assignments or leadership roles.
- Allies are peers who stand beside you, offering support, honest feedback and solidarity.
Captain Julie Rodriguez of the Los Angeles Police Department, now president of NAWLEE: The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, put it simply: “Having a mentor from the start, from the first time you apply, is crucial.” Early in her career, she leaned on a mentor who encouraged her to keep testing for sergeant and detective positions, even after initial failures.
CHECKPOINT
- Reflect: Do you have someone in your corner who guides, someone who advocates and someone who supports?
- Action: Identify one person in your current circle who could fill each role, then invest in those relationships.
This article is from “Forge your future: A career guide for women in policing,” which offers real stories, actionable strategies and tools to help you grow and lead with purpose. Download your free copy, sponsored by the University of San Diego Online, by completing the “Get Access to this Police1 Resource” box on this page!
Step 2: Push past imposter syndrome
For many women in policing, networking can feel intimidating. Walking into a room full of senior leaders or reaching out to someone you admire may bring up doubts. Do I belong here? Do I really have anything to offer?
That voice is imposter syndrome. It can convince you to stay quiet, hold back or wait until you feel more prepared. The truth is, you already bring value to the table. Your experiences, insights and perspective are exactly what make your presence important.
Networking isn’t about proving you are good enough. It’s about building relationships that recognize and expand the value you already have. The officers and leaders you connect with aren’t doing you a favor. They are gaining from your contribution as well.
CHECKPOINT
- Reflect: When have you held back from connecting because you felt you didn’t deserve a seat at the table?
- Action: Remind yourself that your voice and presence matter. Take one step to connect this week, whether it’s sending a message, making an introduction or joining a new group.
Step 3: Connect through professional organizations
Networking is stronger when it extends beyond your agency. National and local organizations give women officers something their departments often cannot provide: dedicated spaces for growth, support and leadership development. These groups help women:
- Access mentorship: Pairing newer officers with experienced leaders who provide guidance and honest feedback
- Build leadership pipelines: Offering training programs and conferences that prepare women for promotions and executive roles
- Gain visibility: Recognizing outstanding service and creating opportunities to showcase women’s contributions
- Secure resources: Providing scholarships, grants and career-development tools
- Expand peer support: Connecting officers across jurisdictions to share strategies, resilience practices and advocacy
- Shape policy and culture: Amplifying women’s voices in conversations about equity, inclusion and organizational change
Here is a brief list of national and state-level associations designed to support women in policing:
- National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE): Leadership training, mentoring and executive networking. Visit nawlee.org.
- International Association of Women Police (IAWP): Global network with scholarships, recognition programs and annual conferences. Visit iawp.org.
- Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE): Offers leadership training, scholarships, conferences and advocacy for women in federal service, but open to all. Visit wifle.org.
- National Organization of Black Women in Law Enforcement (NOBWLE): Founded in 1985, supports Black women in policing through training, conferences, mentoring and advocacy. Visit nobwle.org.
- National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA): Not exclusively female-focused, but with strong women’s leadership involvement and mentoring programs. Visit nlpoa.com.
California
- Los Angeles Women Police Officers & Associates (LAWPOA): Since 1925, supporting and advancing women in the LAPD. Visit lawpoa.org.
- Women Leaders in Law Enforcement (WLLE): Statewide initiative with an annual conference and regional chapters that provide training, mentoring and networking. Visit californiapolicechiefs.org/events/.
Nevada
- Women of Metro (LVMPD): Peer support and professional development for women across the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Visit lvmpdfoundation.org.
New York
- New York Women in Law Enforcement (NYWLE): Statewide network offering training, mentorship and annual conferences. Visit nywle.org.
Chief Sarah Ryan Blankenship of the Capitola Police Department noted that for women leaders, support networks are vital: “We don’t always report because we’re thinking about survival, not vindication. You just need one or two who have your back and will help you think through the next right move.”
CHECKPOINT
- Reflect: Which organizations could provide you with new opportunities or connections?
- Action: Commit to joining at least one professional group this year.
Step 4: Use events to expand your reach
Conferences and summits are more than training opportunities. They are networking accelerators. Events such as the IACP Annual Conference, NAWLEE Annual Conference and WLLE Conference create space for women to connect with leaders, learn new strategies and expand influence.
The key is participation. Introduce yourself to presenters, ask questions in sessions and follow up afterward. A five-minute hallway conversation can turn into mentorship, sponsorship or a new ally.
Assistant Sheriff Tanzanika Carter of San Francisco emphasizes intentional engagement: “Be willing to listen. Believe women. And if you’re in the room when something happens, say something. Sometimes just saying, ‘That’s not okay,’ is enough to shift the energy.”
CHECKPOINT
- Reflect: Do you approach events as a passive listener or an active connector?
- Action: Set a goal to leave your next event with at least three new professional contacts and follow up within a week.
Step 5: Own your digital presence
Your professional identity today also lives online. LinkedIn and other platforms allow you to showcase your achievements, highlight training and demonstrate leadership values. A consistent digital presence strengthens your credibility and keeps you visible when opportunities arise.
Dr. Jonni Redick, former California Highway Patrol assistant chief, often reminds women not to shrink in professional spaces: “Don’t shrink in the space. It’s OK for us to shine if we shine in the right way.” Building a thoughtful online profile ensures your shine is seen.
CHECKPOINT
- Reflect: Does your current online presence reflect the leader you want to be?
- Action: Update your profile this month with recent achievements or share an article that reflects your professional values.
Step 6: Strengthen your circle over time
Networking is not about quantity. It is about quality. One or two strong connections can shape a career more than dozens of casual contacts. Give before you ask, diversify your circle across ranks and agencies and support the next generation by mentoring women just starting out.
As Chief Katie Warden of the Marietta Police Department reminds her officers: “You don’t have to be flawless, but you have to keep doing the work.” That lesson applies to building networks too. Show up, invest in relationships and keep going.
Conclusion: Networking is leadership
For women in policing, networking is not a side task. It is part of leadership. Each relationship you build strengthens not only your career but the profession as a whole. National groups expand your reach, while local and state associations give you close-to-home support. Conferences, digital platforms and everyday connections reinforce resilience and create opportunity.
When you connect with mentors, sponsors, allies and peers, you build more than a career path. You build a legacy. And when you invest in others, you ensure the next generation of women in law enforcement rises even higher.
This article is from “Forge your future: A career guide for women in policing,” which offers real stories, actionable strategies and tools to help you grow and lead with purpose. Download your free copy, sponsored by the University of San Diego Online, by completing the “Get Access to this Police1 Resource” box on this page!
