The “From Research to Reality: Recruiting More Women into the Policing Profession” project, funded by the National Institute of Justice, addresses the stark underrepresentation of women in law enforcement, where only 12% of police officers and 3% of police chiefs are women, despite comprising 58% of the civilian labor force.
Social science research highlights the benefits of increasing women in law enforcement, emphasizing improved community trust, police legitimacy, and enhanced departmental performance. To support this initiative, RTI International and the National Policing Institute partnered with NAWLEE, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) to identify recruitment barriers and develop evidence-based strategies.
Preliminary findings indicate that recruitment materials often exhibit hypermasculine tones, hindering efforts to attract women. Agencies that revised their materials and had vocal leaders promoting gender diversity saw positive outcomes. Once hired, creating a supportive workplace culture is crucial for retaining women officers. Challenges include historically inflexible work structures, inadequate infrastructure for women’s needs, and a concerning 93% of policewomen experiencing harassment. Addressing these issues is not only a matter of gender parity but also a public safety concern, with research indicating that increased women representation leads to better safety outcomes.
RTI researchers conducted interviews with policewomen, revealing a commitment to improving community-agency relationships. The project encourages agencies to share their efforts in recruiting and retaining women, connect with the 30×30 Initiative, advocate for policewomen, and engage leadership to create a representative and supportive department. The initiative extends beyond gender equality, aiming for a cultural shift that benefits the overall workplace environment for all officers.
Learn more about the Research to Reality project here