Metro Police working to increase female recruits
As of February 2024, the Metro Nashville Police Department has about 13% percent of women on the police force, edging closer to the 30% goal.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Metro Nashville Police Department is showing progress as it works toward a goal of hiring more female recruits.
More women are helping fill critical officer positions thanks to the 30x30 initiative signed by Police Chief John Drake in March of 2021.
The national initiative challenges police departments to increase female staffing to 30% by 2030.
Women made up 11% of the MNPD in 2023, according to Commander Tiffany Gibson, metro’s first female director of training with the Metro Police Department Training Academy.
As of February 2024, Commander Gibson said MNPD numbers showed women made up 13% of metro’s total police force, edging closer to the 30% goal.
“We’re definitely growing, so if we can just keep that momentum going,” said Gibson, “I believe that it is definitely attainable. We still have some time, and we’re just going to keep working really hard to keep making sure that we get there, at least very close to it.”
Lactation rooms for nursing moms, more flexible schedules and physical test modifications are among the changes MNPD made to help attract new recruits, especially women. That’s in addition to their already paid maternity leave and sick time, according to Commander Gibson.
Looking to the future, Gibson said conversations are underway, trying to lay the foundation for a 24/7 childcare facility for metro police families.
“...We’re trying to get going, possibly help sponsor our own childcare facility, and I think that would be really helpful for females definitely, but also for families in general at the department.”
Commander Gibson said MNPD is looking to model San Diego’s Police Department where they built the nation’s first childcare center customized to meet the needs of law enforcement.
“I think having that availability would be when it would really be a game changer for sure,” Gibson expressed as she discussed how the childcare facility could help with recruiting.
A date has not been set for any facility, but Gibson said, “We’re hoping that can happen in the near future.”
All the changes are to help attract MNPD trainees like Kaitlyn Dalena.
“It’s a male dominated profession,” said Dalena, “So women are scared to take that step maybe thinking that they’re not able to do it, but you can do it if you have that right mindset.”
Dalena is one of four women in her Police Training Academy class set to graduate in April.
Both she and new officers like Emma Long say they hope the changes lead to more women joining them on patrols and beyond.
“More qualified and strong women to be in this police department and be leaders in this police department,” said Officer Long, “I mean I think it would be a great thing to see.”
Commander Gibson said there were 162 vacant, funded positions available with MNPD as of February 2024.
For more information on current openings, visit JoinMNPD.com.
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