Peel police pledges to increase representation of women on the force
Posted December 16, 2024 3:01 pm.
Peel Regional Police (PRP) announced its participation in an initiative aimed at significantly increasing the representation of women in its force on Monday.
As per a news release, the police service is taking the “30×30 Initiative Pledge” to have women comprise 30 per cent of all recruit classes by 2030 and “its policies and culture will intentionally support the success of qualified female officers.”
The initiative stems from a 2019 U.S. National Institute of Justice special report titled “Women in Policing: Breaking Barriers and Blazing a Path.” The report reviewed women in policing with a focus on culture, performance, recruitment and retention as well as promotion in the U.S.
Four hundred law enforcement agencies have taken the pledge to date and PRP is the first in Ontario to do so.
On average, about 19 per cent of recruits from each of the new recruit graduating classes in 2024 were women. Currently, about 22 per cent of PRP’s uniform members are women.
“Increasing the representation of women from all backgrounds in our service is instrumental to embodying our vision of being the most progressive, innovative, and inclusive service in North America,” PRP Chief Nishan Duraiappah said.
Acting staff superintendent said when she started as a cadet 35 years ago, the landscape was “vastly different.”
“There was only one female officer per platoon. With the change occurring at PRP, I truly believe it is fostering an environment where women can succeed,” she said.
