Police Media Release

Lacey Police Department Pledges to Advance Women in Policing: National 30×30 Pledge Aims to Bring More Women into Policing to Improve Public Safety, Community Outcomes, and Trust in Law Enforcement

Chief Almada has signed on to the 30×30 Pledge; a series of low- and no-cost actions policing agencies can take to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement. The activities help policing agencies assess the current state of a department with regard to gender equity, identify factors that may be driving any disparities and develop and implement strategies and solutions to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing. These actions address recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture.

The Pledge is the foundational effort of the 30×30 Initiative – a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. The 30×30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

The ultimate goal of the 30×30 Initiative is to reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030, and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the jurisdiction the agency serves. While 30×30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.

More than 245 agencies, from major metro departments, including the New York City Police Department, to mid-sized, rural, university, and state policing agencies have signed the 30×30 Pledge. The Pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities. The Lacey Police Department is, and continues to be, the most diverse police department in Thurston County. In the last three years, Lacey Police Department has increased its ranks of female officers from 10% to 20%. It is also the only Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs accredited law enforcement agency in Thurston County.

Currently, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the U.S. This under representation of women in policing has significant public safety implications. Research suggests that 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

For more information, visit 30x30initiative.org.