Teaching Girls about Women in Law Enforcement

Law enforcement careers are traditionally male-dominated, but programs around the country are aiming to teach girls they equally have what it takes in the field. The percentage of women in law enforcement careers is low, and these programs and promotional opportunities hope to encourage girls interest in the industry.

Behind the Badge Series: Women in Law Enforcement

A local, Minnesota ABC News station recently produced a 6 part series called Behind the Badge: Women in Law Enforcement. This series features brave women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line daily. These powerful, educational and insightful episodes may change the way you look at law enforcement and highlight their commitment to their jobs. It’s a peek into the day-in-the life of a female law enforcement officer. Watch the series and share with those in your life that may be interested in a law enforcement career.

Camp Fury

This summer a group of teenage girls across Arizona participated in the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona annual Camp Fury. Typically law enforcement camps are male-dominated because leaders think many girls wouldn’t be interested. This is far from the truth as this camp is in its 7^th session and fills up quickly each year. This hands-on five-day, four-night experience took place at the Public Safety Academy on Tucson’s southeast side. The campers got the real-world training from public safety personnel and learn rescue skills and crime scene investigation techniques. The camp also emphasizes leadership and physical fitness. Several agencies across Southern Arizona are involved including Tucson Fire Department, Tucson Police Department, Northwest Fire District, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Border Patrol, U of A Police, Pima Community College Police Department and the Marana Police Department.

Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Program

This summer a group of 32 girls from Northern Virginia received an introduction to career opportunities in law enforcement in a week long program directed by the Fairfax County Police Department. Women in law enforcement positions gave demonstrations and discussed their careers with the teenage students. The program included team-building activities, defensive tactic training, firearms safety, and sessions on law enforcement tasks. The Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement program started in 2014 as part of a long-term effort to boost the number of women in its ranks (only 13%). During the program the students visited department facilities and learned about the helicopter division, the K9 and child exploitation units, and SWAT. This gives the student’s an idea of what each department does and what they may be interested in. After the program several participants said they are considering careers in law enforcement.