Every year on September 12, National Police Women's Day is celebrated throughout the country.

It's an important day that acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of female police officers who enforce law and order throughout the country.

Current statistics show that women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the United States. Therefore, National Police Woman Day not only celebrates the women who have sworn to serve and protect, but it also has the goal of encouraging more women to become police officers.

On National Police Women's Day this year, the Duluth Police Department acknowledged its members, while also announcing it had joined an important initiative.

Duluth Police Department Joins The 30x30 Initiative

In its September 12 Facebook post, the Duluth Police Department paid tribute to its female officers and announced its pledge to the 30x30 initiative. That means the Duluth Police Department pledges to reach 30 percent of its sworn officers to be women by the year 2030.

According to its post, more than 300 agencies have already signed the 30x30 pledge throughout the country, and it's an important step because it advances women in policing through "recruitment, retention, and representation in all ranks.

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They note that it already has female officers in multiple facets of its agency in Duluth from supervision, investigations, specialty units, and specialty teams, which is crucial to meeting current staff’s needs and community expectations.

The 30x30 Initiative website says that, according to research, women officers:

  • Use less force and less excessive force
  • Are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits
  • Are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate
  • See better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases
  • Make fewer discretionary arrests, especially of non-white residents

The Duluth Police Department would like any woman interested in joining a career in law enforcement to click the button above and apply today.

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