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The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is working to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30 percent by the year 2030.
The work is part of a local and nationwide effort known as the 30x30 Initiative. A workshop in Indianapolis was held recently for women interested in joining the force. IMPD Commander of Community Engagement and Outreach Bureau Ida Williams said a few officers spoke to workshop attendees about their jobs.
“We asked for female officers from our agency to come and share their experiences, what their individual paths have been and what any female who's interested can expect in law enforcement or what they can expect to be successful as a police officer in the 21st century,” Williams said.
Potential applicants must successfully complete the academy’s physical tests. Williams said having a healthy mental capability is important, too.
“We have what we call the PARE program which is our Pre-Academy Readiness Program,” she said. "We not only go over the physical requirements but also we talk about what can help us mentally, how to eat healthy and and we talk a lot about the support system and becoming a police officer.”
The entrance standard requirements for pushups, sit ups and vertical jump and and meter and distance run are the same for female and male applicants.
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