The Long Beach Police Department has joined more than 100 agencies across the country in pledging to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement, according to a city press release.

The National 30×30 Pledge is a “series of low- and no-cost actions police agencies” can take to bring more women into policing in an effort to improve public safety, community outcomes and trust in law enforcement, according to the press release. The initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives. It is made up of a coalition of police leaders, researchers and professional organizations.

“It is important that our Department reflect the diverse community we serve, and I am proud that we have joined this effort,” Chief of Police Robert Luna said in a statement Friday. “We look forward to working with and learning from agencies across the country who share our priority.”

Today, just 12% of 802 LBPD sworn officers are women, on par with the national average, according to LBPD. Additionally, 6% of the department’s leadership roles—sergeant and above—are filled by women. The national average is 3%, according to 30×30.

The eventual goal of the pledge is to reach 30% women in police recruit classes by 2030 while making sure police agencies are representative of the jurisdiction each agency serves.

According to the coalition, the pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities. This research suggests that women police 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

“The activities help police 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,” according to the press release. “These actions address recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion and agency culture.”

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