Initiative aims to recruit more woman as UB police officers

UB police are pledging to recruit more female officers to the department.

UB has signed on to the “30x30 Initiative,” a national coalition of police leaders, researchers and professional organizations intent on advancing the representation of women in policing agencies across the U.S.

Women make up 19% of the 63 sworn officers at the university, says Deputy Chief of Police Joshua Sticht. While that is better than the national average of 12%, there’s still work to do, say Sticht and Chief Chris Bartolomei.

“Our ultimate goal is to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030 and to ensure police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women officers throughout their careers,” Bartolomei says.

The 30x30 Initiative is based on the importance of having at least 30% representation to influence an organization’s culture.

Led by the National Institute of Justice, the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, the 30x30 Initiative includes more than 200 participating agencies throughout the nation, including UB.

The initiative points out how public safety can be undermined because women have been historically underrepresented in policing. Research, for example, shows women officers:

• Make fewer discretionary arrests.
• Use less force, as well as 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.

“We are extremely pleased to participate in this initiative, which is uniquely focused on women,” Bartolomei says. “The end goal is to improve recruiting practices applicable to all types of diversity, not just gender, so that agencies become more representative of the communities they serve.”