Police agencies sign national pledge to recruit 30% women by 2030
Currently, women make up 12% of sworn officers. The 30x30 Initiative is trying to change that
By Suzie Ziegler
Dozens of agencies are signing a pledge to diversify their police force. The 30x30 Initiative challenges departments to recruit classes of at least 30% women by 2030.
But the initiative’s goal is not just to increase the number of women in policing. The pledge also aims “to ensure police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women officers throughout their careers.”
Over 40 law enforcement agencies have since signed the pledge. They range from massive city departments, like the NYPD and Houston PD, to state police and rural agencies.
According to organizers, women make up 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the United States.
“This under-representation of women in policing undermines public safety,” the group’s website reads.
Agency leaders interested in signing the pledge can send an email to 30x30@policingproject.org to get started. In signing the pledge, agencies agree to report on their efforts to identify and address obstacles women officers face in recruitment and throughout their careers, according to organizers. The first of the progress reports are expected later in 2021.
According to the Policing Project, the 30x30 Initiative is a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations, including the founding partners Policing Project and NAWLEE (National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), National Police Foundation, and the International Association of Women Police.
Today, the Seattle Police Department has signed on to the 30×30 Pledge – a series of low- and no-cost actions policing...
Posted by Seattle Police Department on Friday, March 26, 2021
Baltimore County joins initiative to make police recruits 30% women by 2030 https://t.co/XWlbNCAvZV
— WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore (@wbaltv11) March 24, 2021
We're proud to announce we've joined the @30x30Initiative by signing the #30x30Pledge! We’re joining the movement to #advancewomeninpolicing and support the success of women officers in all ranks. https://t.co/z0PicZrLoo
— Madison Police (@madisonpolice) March 27, 2021
@MayorJoyceCraig joining @mht_nh_police for out #30x30 initiative - thank you Mayor for being here @30x30initiative pic.twitter.com/OF9OuMGQD6
— Chief Allen Aldenberg (@AldenbergAllen) March 25, 2021
At 26%, @UWMadisonPolice employs one of the highest percentages of female officers in the country and we are proud to be #ReachingHIGHER as a part of this initiative. https://t.co/wACv3bp9RE
— Chief Kristen Roman (@WiscChief) March 26, 2021
We're excited to welcome Chief @bumpers_v and the team at @METROHouston to the #30x30Initiative! pic.twitter.com/JcHbYhIIkU
— 30x30: Advancing Women in Policing (@30x30initiative) March 18, 2021
We're proud to announce we've joined the @30x30initiative! By signing the #30x30Pledge, we’re joining the movement to advance women in policing and support the success of women officers in all ranks.
— Denton Police Dept (@DENTONPD) March 25, 2021
Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/tF0LO2B3Zc pic.twitter.com/ep2Jlkgzo2
Today we signed the national #30x30Pledge, part of the #30x30Initiative to increase the number of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030. Learn more by following @30x30initiative and reading our full release: https://t.co/iTWLC65mUD #btv #vt pic.twitter.com/KTqhkMpxwt
— Vermont State Police (@VTStatePolice) March 25, 2021
👮♀️@Lincoln_Police recently signed the 30x30 Pledge to improve the representation & experiences of women in law enforcement. These activities will help identify factors that create disparities and develop strategies to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing. #LNK pic.twitter.com/CFWR1xO87d
— City of Lincoln, Nebraska (@CityOfLincoln) March 26, 2021
IMPD is proud to announce we've joined the @30X30Initiative by signing the #30x30pledge! We're joining the movement to #advancewomeninpolicing and support the success of women officers in all ranks. Learn more➡️https://t.co/J0lD9QeVBZ #WomenInPolicing #AdvanceWomenInPolicing pic.twitter.com/qIHkv2upjR
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) March 29, 2021