TPD's 'Women In Policing Day' Aims To Recruit More Women Into Law Enforcement

The Tulsa Police Department is trying to attract more women to a career in law enforcement. 

TPD’s academy ramped up with its recruiting efforts with a Women In Policing Day Saturday to combat a nationwide officer shortage.

Twenty-six women, including recent college graduate Morgan Hawkins, got a glimpse of what it's like to protect and serve the city of Tulsa.

"I think Tulsa needs people to step up and do the job, and I want to be one of those people,” Hawkins said.

Police officials told News on 6 there's a nationwide shortage in officers and for a few reasons.

Recruiting officer Khara Bresee said social media complicates everything.

"Being a police officer, driving a police car. You have a target on you,” Bresee said. 

She said it's very demanding, and the pandemic challenged recruiting efforts. The applicant pool has also decreased, officers are retiring and they simply can't keep up.”

"We have actually more than 50% female in our community, so we want to actually reflect that,” Bresee said.

Bresee believes it's important to diversify the force. She said women tend to have a more empathetic side and work well with victims who are women and with children. 

Bresee told us they also have a lower use of force rate. Applicants at TPD's Women In Policing Day used a simulator to work through scenarios in the field alongside the defense tactics team. 

"I have a lot to learn if I do get in and those are real life situations,” Hawkins said. 

Women officers from various ranks shared their insight into the physical, mental and emotional demands of the job. 

"We want to give them real answers,” Bresee said. “We don't want to give them any fluff.”

Recruiters focus on two areas of the physical ability test that tend to intimidate women the most. One is scaling a six-foot wall. Bresee said having a mindset that you can make it over.

"It's kind of to show women that they can do this,” Bresee said. “We can do this.”

Another daunting task includes dragging an 160-pound dummy across the floor.

Hawkins said she's up for the challenge.

"What an honor it would be to serve the city that has made me who I am today,” Hawkins said.