TED Talks Daily How policewomen make communities safer | Ivonne Roman
Jul 30, 2019
Ivonne Roman, a TED Fellow and seasoned police officer, discusses the vital role women play in enhancing community safety. With only 13% of U.S. police officers being women, she highlights how their unique perspectives can defuse violent situations and improve trust in law enforcement. Roman advocates for revising physical fitness tests in police academies to boost female recruitment, emphasizing that a diverse force leads to better policing outcomes. Her insights illuminate the need for gender equality in law enforcement.
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High Female Recruit Failure Rates
- In 2014, Ivonne Roman noticed alarming failure rates among female police recruits in New Jersey academies due to physical fitness tests.
- Recruits had only three weeks to pass, leading to significant financial and personal losses despite prior investments.
Underrepresentation of Women in Policing
- Women represent less than 13% of US police officers and 3% of police chiefs.
- Other countries with higher female representation demonstrate the advantages of policewomen, including reduced force and complaints.
Benefits of Policewomen
- Research shows policewomen are less likely to use excessive force and face lawsuits or complaints.
- Their presence can even reduce force among male colleagues, despite facing similar or higher levels of force themselves.