San Mateo County Sheriff, Christina Corpus, recently signed a commitment to the 30×30 initiative, a national movement that promotes the participation of women in law enforcement, thus promoting equity in law enforcement.
"It's never too early to inspire the next generation of women leaders. Representation is important: having female role models empowers the next generation of young women to achieve their goals in law enforcement, and to know that they can succeed and thrive in a law enforcement career," Sheriff Corpus said on her social media.
Currently, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the US.
The goal of the 30×30 initiative is to increase the representation of women in police recruiting classes to 30 percent by 2030, and to ensure that police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women officers throughout their careers. .
And, according to the organization, the underrepresentation of women in the police undermines public safety.
The research, he said, shows that female officers use less force and less excessive force; are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits; they are perceived by communities as more honest and compassionate; better outcomes for crime victims, especially in cases of sexual assault; and they make fewer discretionary arrests.
The 30×30 Initiative is a coalition of law enforcement leaders, researchers, and professional organizations that have come together to advance the representation and experiences of women in America's law enforcement agencies.
Notably, the agencies signing the 30×30 Pledge have agreed to take steps to increase the representation of women in all ranks of law enforcement; and ensure that policies and procedures are free from bias.
In addition, they commit to promoting the equitable recruitment, retention, and promotion of female officers; and make sure your culture is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of women at all ranks and roles in law enforcement.
According to the 30×30 Initiative, women of African descent and women of color, in particular, face compounding experiences of bias and discrimination in law enforcement because of their race or ethnicity, in addition to their gender.
While transgender and gender non-conforming officers face discrimination based on their gender identity and presentation. Other identities also shape a female law enforcement experience: a mother or caregiver may require modified caregiving hours, or a pregnant officer may require certain physical accommodations.
In that sense, she said, it is essential that participating agencies focus on increasing the representation of all women, taking into account the diverse experiences of women of all backgrounds and life experiences to better promote the creation of a workplace diverse and inclusive for all.
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