The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has joined a national effort to recruit more women into policing.
“When we think about policing, it remains a reflection of traditionally male gender roles that femininity is kind of in direct opposition to — when we talk about the way that we think about masculinity and femininity in American society — but modern policing values collaboration, it values partnership, it values mediation, all traits that women display in spades,” said MCPD Second District Commander Amy Daum during a county media briefing on Wednesday.
MCPD announced it signed the 30×30 pledge in March. The county aims to reach “30% female representation in our police force by 2030,” County Executive Marc Elrich said Wednesday.
Per the 30×30 Initiative website, the 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.”
“I’ve been a cop for 20 years, and more of my days are talking to people, collaborating with individuals and stakeholders in our community, and mediating differences and disputes between parties than they are anything else,” Daum said.
According to the county, MCPD is currently 23% female, compared to the 13% national average.
Elrich said the 30% goal is not a stopping point but a step along the way “until hopefully we eventually achieve parity.”
