The University of Delaware Police Department (UDPD) has signed on to the 30x30 Pledge – a national initiative with a series of low- and no-cost actions that policing agencies can take to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement.

These 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. Actions address recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion and agency culture.

The Pledge is the foundational effort of the 30x30 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 30x30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at New York University’s School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

The ultimate goal of the 30x30 Initiative is to reach 30% of women in police recruit classes by 2030, and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the jurisdictions they serve. While 30x30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.

“A basic goal for all law enforcement agencies should be to mirror the community that they serve,” said UD Police Chief Patrick Ogden. “We are proud to have the University of Delaware Police Department support the 30x30 initiative by making this pledge to improve representation and experiences of women officers in policing."

More than 140 agencies – from major metropolitan departments including the New York City Police Department, to mid-sized, rural, university and state policing agencies – have signed the 30x30 Pledge. The Pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities.

Currently, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the U.S. At UD, women make up 20% of the department.

Underrepresentation 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.

“We are grateful to the University of Delaware Police Department for being one of the first in the nation to commit to being a part of this growing movement” said Maureen McGough, co-founder of the 30x30 Initiative, chief of staff of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law and former policing expert at the U.S. Department of Justice. “We believe strongly that advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety outcomes. We look forward to having more agencies follow the University of Delaware Police Department’s lead by signing the pledge and improving the representation and experiences of women in policing.”

For more information, visit www.30x30initiative.org.