“Women in Law Enforcement” is dedicated to highlighting the unique challenges and accomplishments of female officers within the force. We focus on key issues facing female police officers, including workplace diversity, overcoming gender biases, and navigating the physical and mental demands of the job in a traditionally male-dominated field. We shed light on initiatives aimed at increasing the representation and success of women in law enforcement, and emphasize the importance of female leadership within law enforcement, showcasing the inspiring journeys of women who have risen to leadership roles.
DAY IN THE LIFE
Meet LaShawnna Edwards, who is blazing trails with her determination, grit and commitment to excellence
Meet Lindsey Wade, a cold case detective who helped solve the 32-year-old mystery of two young girls brutally murdered in Tacoma
Amelia Frasure shares her experience as the UAS program manager of the Greenville Police Department’s drone program and her passion for training the next generation of drone operators
With Zona, Arizona’s first electronic detection K-9, Gayle Warren tackles everything from child exploitation cases to high-profile investigations, bringing her unique journalism background and forensic expertise to the forefront
With 24 years in policing, Isabel McDonald brings the compassion, dedication and empathy of a former funeral service director to her role as a K-9 officer and peer support advocate
Meet Alison Funaiock: Newport News Police Department’s trailblazing captain, former SWAT sniper and community advocate
Meet Mary Nero: Greensboro Police Department’s lone homicide victim advocate who managed a record 74 homicide cases in a single year
Meet Andrea Cortez, a 17-year law enforcement veteran and analyst at Elk Grove (Calif.) Police Department’s Real-Time Information Center
For Officer Macarena Garner, becoming an RTO is a dream fulfilled
Meet Lieutenant Jackie Pearson, a 26-year officer and resilience instructor at Fort Collins Police Services in Colorado
Master Deputy Addy Perez is a five-year veteran of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina
Equipping female officers with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in their careers
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
How mentorship, advocacy and progressive policies are essential for equipping female officers with the necessary tools for leadership roles
SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR FEMALE OFFICERS
How do I get my all-male command staff to understand and support my rights as a pregnant officer?
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office’s day care center aims to improve employee retention and recruitment by addressing work-life balance challenges
Don’t compromise on functionality or comfort when buying maternity tactical pants
Albany Police Chief Marcia Harnden faced many challenges when she stepped into the role, including employee discipline, high-profile uses of force and staffing shortages
Find the perfect blend of protection, durability and comfort tailored to your unique needs as a female first responder
We know women can bring unique qualities and life experiences to this work. So, how do we get more women to understand how well-suited they are for policing?
Actionable strategies law enforcement can adopt to support female officers juggling motherhood and their careers
Data from the “What Cops Want” survey suggests a difference in how female and male officers feel valued, indicating a gap in workplace culture and environment
Law enforcement continues to struggle with recruiting women into the policing profession — recruiting websites aren’t helping
COMPLETE COVERAGE
“This is a job where you can do everything,” Naschke said. “I love coming to work every day,” Trooper Jessica Naschke said
When gunshots filled the air, Sgt. Joelle Harrell ran in their direction before coming face-to-face with a bloodied Ricky Pearsall, a wide receiver with the San Francisco 49ers
A Girl & A Gun’s flagship training program featured live-fire drills, breaching techniques and rappelling to prepare officers for real-world challenges
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed sanitation chief Jessica Tisch as police commissioner
How agencies can confront toxic norms and establish environments built on trust, integrity and accountability
Columbus Officer Gloria West, who has been with the department for about a year, ran toward the flames to rescue the man
“I’m not going to solve everything. We’re not going to solve everything. But working together, we can solve a lot,” Austin PD Chief Lisa Davis said
The former FBI agent who served as the real-life inspiration for Clarice Starling in “Silence of the Lambs,” takes us behind the scenes of FBI profiling and her ground-breaking career
Assistant Chief Melissa Eger has served with the NYPD since 1999; she has received praise for her ability to create crime-fighting strategies and engage the community
Learn how one officer rediscovered her identity and found a new purpose after an injury forced her into early retirement in her 30s
MOST POPULAR
- 30x30 initiative, other LE organizations address misguided blame in response to Trump rally shooting
- NFL player wounded during robbery honors Calif. officer who responded, presents signed jersey during game
- Words matter: How misogyny undermines women in law enforcement
- Saluting our heroes: Celebrating National Police Woman Day
- Workplace harassment continues to plague female police officers