Women Officers

The Women Officers topic page provides news and resources for women navigating every step of their law enforcement career. Learn how the 30x30 initiative aims to advance women in policing, what duty gear investments every female officer should make, how LAPD's first female SWAT officer broke the glass ceiling, and more.

For more information on products for female officers, visit the Police1 Female Police Officers product section.

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Firearms Carry for Off-Duty Female Cops
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For a variety of reasons, some officers don't carry off-duty. Adam Painchaud talks to Betsy Brantner Smith about why officers need to be prepared to protect themselves at all times, and offers a few options for weapons concealment off the job.
Jeanne Assam: On security at New Life Church
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After leaving the Minneapolis PD and a string of personal tragedies, Jeanne Assam moved to Colorado Springs and got involved at New Life Church.
Techniques for men to correctly search women
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Kimberly Triplett discusses the issue of men searching women. Her department has an innovative program that could help you and your agency.
Church shooting: The heroism of Jeanne Assam
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On December 9, 2007 a 24-year-old gunman named Matthew Murray launched a brutal assault on the parishioners of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs (Colo.) that left two innocent victims dead. Because of the quick actions of a former police officer from Minnesota named Jeanne Assam, that number could easily have been much, much higher. Assam explains in a new video segment produced by the Police1 Video Team for the Police1 Academy that she very nearly decided to not go to church that day. However, on the morning of the shooting, she saw a headline on her computer indicating that two young people were murdered at a training center for Christian missionaries some 70 miles away in the Denver suburb of Arvada. The headline shook her.
Don Alwes: Long Gun Options for Women on Patrol
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Betsy Brantner-Smith sits down with Don Alwes to talk about purchasing patrol rifles for women. Some women can be intimidated by purchasing rifles. Don discusses the benefits of using a patrol rifle and what factors to look for when making that purchasing decision.
Debbie Gardner: Women in Law Enforcement: Advice from a Trailblazer
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Betsy Brantner-Smith sits down with Debbie Gardner, female law enforcement officer and founder of the Survive Institute. She discusses how difficult it can be to recruit young women for law enforcement positions because of unrealistic expectations. As one of the first women in the U.S. to be assigned partol duty, alone, Debbie understands the insides and outs of what it is like to be a woman in this industry. She has advice for other women in the same position today.
Margaret Moore: Women in Federal Law Enforcement
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Betsy Brantner-Smith sits down with Margaret Moore, President of the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Foundation, at the 2010 WIFLE Conference in Atlanta. Margaret began her career in 1973 as an undercover narcotics police officer and later worked with ATF and became the first woman special agent in charge. Margaret now mentors young women in law enforcement and works to inspire and train women each year at WIFLE.
Dealing with Pregnancy in a Law Enforcement Setting
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Betsy Brantner-Smith touches on a sensitive subject that affects many female cops around the world. It is important to make sure your agency not only has a maternity policy but also a pregnancy policy in place. Light duty is often an option for pregnant police officers but it is crucial to know and understand how your agency operates. Betsy gives advice on how to deal with these issues.
Will to Win: A female cop with a gun to her head (Part 1)
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In 1998, Officer Donna Wescott went to meet a fellow officer for coffee at a 7-11. Little did she know what she was about to encounter. She shares her story of how she reacted and communicated when a gun was pointed to her head. She says her training took over in that moment and is the reason she remained alive.
Beverly Price: The Women's Forum at IALEFI 2009
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In this PoliceOneTV Original, Betsy Brantner-Smith speaks with Beverly Price about the Women's forum that was held at this year's IALEFI conference.
Perspectives: Deputy Superintendent Quaye, Ghana
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Kandi Blick: Successful Equipment Selection for Female Officers
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The selection of equipment for female officers is crucial to their training, success and their survival. Betsy Smith, from PoliceOneTV, meets with Team Safariland's Kandi Blick to discuss and demonstrate what women need to be proficient with the tools they carry.

Learn more about Women Officers:

What advice would you give a female rookie?
Shotgun training tips for female and smaller officers
Visit the Police1 Women Officers Topic

Relevant Police1 Links:

Visit the Police Community Topic section
Law Enforcement News
PoliceGrantsHelp.com
Dr. Laura Bedard: Women in Corrections
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Dr. Laura Bedard, one of Florida’s leading correctional authorities, shares her input on the problems and issues that the corrections field is dealing with today. She also discusses the increasing role of women in corrections.

Related Links:

Featured Corrections Article — Cell stops: Best practice for making initial contact
Visit the Police1 Corrections Topic

Relevant Police1 Links:

Visit the Police Community Topic section
Law Enforcement News
PoliceGrantsHelp.com
SAVVY: Body Armor For Women
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Video highlights body armor for women by SAVVY.