The Minneapolis Police Department continues to face a shortage of new officers with the current number of officers less than half what it was in 2019.
Sergeant Sgt. Keia Boyd from the Minneapolis Police Department tells WCCO's Sheletta Brundidge that recruiting female officers has been a priority for the department.
“One of my passions is not just bringing diversity, but bringing women to the department,” says Boyd. “Because we don’t talk to our little girls like they can do this job. To see women coming back to the profession instead of being steered into social work or more behind the scenes, that brings a big smile to my face.”
Boyd says that they're looking for people from more diverse backgrounds as well.
“We telling our ladies that, you don’t have to go to school for law enforcement,” Boyd says. “You’re a psychology major, you’re a sociology major, your teaching degree. All those different skills that you’re learning can be applied out there on the street.”
Boyd says they’ve learned that female officers are statistically better at deescalating dangerous situations too.
“We’re nurturers, we listen, we calm the situation down,” Boyd says. “We’re getting more intentional with telling women they can do it in these professions. It’s slowly but surely turning around.”
The department also works with recruits to get them their law enforcement degree and pay them while in school.
“I know it can be done. We’ll meet you where you’re at,” Boyd explains. “If you already have a degree or need a degree, you can still apply to our department. We will pay for your tuition and books to get you where you need to be in order to work for us.”
There are currently four female cadets joining the academy and Boyd says they’re hoping to increase those numbers.