Posts Tagged ‘diversity’

Feb 1213

It’s Okay to be Gay in Law Enforcement. No, really!

The military isn’t the only profession with growing acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups.  Now more than ever law enforcement agencies look to fill their ranks with a diverse officer corps that reflects the population served. Today, diversity goes beyond gender and race to encompass other minority groups, including the LGBT community.

Here’s the bottom line:  Law enforcement requires a unique blend of skills and characteristics, from empathy and intelligence to courage and decisiveness.  These are traits anyone can bring to the table regardless of sexual orientation.  Modern law enforcement is a field that respects and encourages individuality. Being a member of a minority group will not limit your ability to become a law enforcement officer or your chances of career success. Law enforcement is a field where diversity is supported and encouraged.

Consider the following as proof:

  • Friday the San Francisco Police Department released this video featuring more than a dozen gay and lesbian officers and civilian employees, each offering words of encouragement and support to LGBT youth.  The video is part of the “It Gets Better” campaign to end bullying of LGBT youth. Cheers to SFPD for being the first police agency to contribute a video to the project!

 

 

  • While many larger departments have special liaison units that work directly in LGBT communities to investigate and prevent hate crimes, an LGBT officer’s career is not limited to service within these units.  Take for example, Brice, who shares his experience as gay detective and SWAT team member in south Florida. This video is from the You Can Be Anything project, a career exploration website for LGBT youth with testimonials from professionals in a variety of fields, including public safety.

 

 

For more on diversity and law enforcement, including links to support organizations, visit our website.

Mar 1102

Women in Law Enforcement

March is women’s history month. What better time to take a look at the evolution of women in law enforcement.

Women have long worked in police departments in civilian caretaker capacities, but it wasn’t until the early part of the 20th century that they became sworn officers.  Oddly enough, the identity – and home department – of the first female police officer is a hotly contested topic.

Source: LAPD

 
 
  • The Los Angeles Police Department reports that it appointed the first female police officer with arrest powers in 1910.
  • Meanwhile, the Portland Police Bureau claims it hired the first female officer in 1908. 
  • Evidence recently surfaced that the Chicago Police Department may beat them both with the recent discovery of records of a female officer dating back to the 1890s. 

Regardless, women have come a long, long way in law enforcement.  While once limited to youth, administrative, or traffic assignments (as “meter maids”), women finally broke into patrol in the 1970s and ultimately into more tactical elements.  Today women are found in every conceivable law enforcement unit.  

But in these 100-plus years, how far has the profession come in terms of female representation?  Here are some stats from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief Women in Law Enforcement, 1987 – 2008:

  • Among local agencies in 2007, women accounted for more than double the percent of sworn personnel in large agencies compared to small agencies.
  • The percent of female officers in local police departments increased steadily between 1987 and 2007, from 7.6% in 1987 to nearly 12% in 2007. 
  • In 2007, the Detroit Police Department had the highest percentage (27%) of female officers among the largest police departments, followed by Philadelphia (25%), DC (23%) and Chicago (23%).
  • Of federal law enforcement agencies with sworn officer, the Offices of Inspectors General had the largest percent of female officers (25%).
     

Overall, not to bad, but still much room for improvement.  Women are often deterred by the perceived physical demands of the job.  In reality a person with average physical skills and abilities can be a very effective police officer.  While fitness is important, the notion that policing is about force and strength is an old-fashioned notion.  Modern policing requires critical thinking, problem solving skills, and a strong desire to make a difference – characteristics that defy traditional gender stereotypes. 

When Alice Wells pinned on her badge with the LAPD, she declared, “I don’t want to make arrests, I want to keep people from needing to be arrested…” An interesting notion, one that still holds today.

Nov 1029

Journalist Turned Cop: Policing as a Second Career

If you think you’re too old to find a career in law enforcement, think again.

Age requirements  for police officers – specifically upper age limits – vary widely.  Many agencies have no upper age limit at all, so as long as you meet all the requirements, you have a good shot.

Take a look at this story from Las Vegas where Beth Choat gave up a career in sports reporting to join the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  Ironically (or not), she found there to be many parallels between policing and journalism, most notably the value of good writing skills and the ability to craft effective, concise narratives.

Choat is repeatedly asked why she left the world of sports reporting.  At the end of the day, she says, ”it’s sports, it’s just entertainment…it’s not life or death…what I do now is life or death.”

So if at age 45, Officer Choat can walk away from ESPN to live her dream, so can you!