Perspective: Improving police recruitment outcomes for women through physical fitness support programs

Abstract

This perspective paper is anchored in the authors’ direct experiences with enhancing women’s recruitment in law enforcement through physical fitness programs and mentoring in Newark, NJ. The paper draws insights from a successful approach that boosted women’s performance in physical fitness tests (PFTs). The paper underscores the importance of gender inclusivity in police recruitment, detailing the implementation of the Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA) and its evolution into the nationwide 30x30 initiative. Key findings reveal that tailored physical training, effective mentoring, and support can significantly lower attrition and enhance gender diversity in policing. Recommendations for law enforcement agencies include adopting equitable PFT standards, establishing mentoring programs for women, and revising recruitment policies to align with current research and best practices. This paper also advocates for a paradigm shift towards comprehensive strategies that build an organizational culture of diversity and equality, specifically through initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s representation in policing with focussed physical fitness training and acclimatization.