The Role of Data in Driving Diversity, Recruitment, and Retention

Women comprise only 13 percent of sworn law enforcement, eight percent of fire rescue, and 21 percent of emergency medical service (EMS), and the number of leadership positions held by women across these professions hovers in the low single digits. This underrepresentation of women, particularly in policing, stifles public safety’s potential.

Moreover, the diversity index from the U.S. Census increased to 61.1 percent in 2020 from 54.9 percent in 2010, meaning American neighborhoods are becoming more diverse. Communities thrive when they can see themselves represented in local policies, practices, and personnel. Public safety agencies should set bold but attainable targets to increase diversity and continue developing workforces that are reflective of the communities they serve.

In this round table discussion, we explore the current state of initiatives to increase diversity in the public safety sector through female representation, and the role of data driving that change.

We discuss:

• The evolution of data collection and the impact on agencies
• Best practices for collecting and using data to inform your diversity, equity, inclusion strategies
• Hear from agencies that have implemented policy changes to create more diversity across their ranks and leadership
• How to talk to your leadership about the 30×30 Pledge