Women in Law Enforcement

​Officers have been patrolling the streets of Phoenix since 1881, but women serving in that role came decades later.

In the 1930s women started working in a law enforcement compacity for the police department, serving as jail matrons. According to the Phoenix Police Museum, during Chief Charles Thomas' career as chief, 1952-1963, the first woman dispatchers were hired, four female officers joined the force and the first female was promoted to sergeant.

Fast forward to today, 13 percent of the sworn personnel are female.

In January of 2023, the Phoenix Police Department signed the 30x30 Initiative with a goal to increase representation of women in police recruit classes to 30 percent by 2030.

There are several things the department is doing to hopefully reach the goal by 2030. Phoenix Police has been utilizing work groups to advance recruiting, retention, promotion and education.

"Through these work groups, we are finding that this will help everyone on the department not just female officers," said Commander Sara Garza. Garza is the commander over seeing recruitment, hiring, community engagement and employee wellness. "This is the first time we have been able to convene groups to study and talk about things like retention, recruitment, education and training."

Recently, Commander Garza and Officer Darline Maitland joined Public Information Specialist Nicole Costantino and Sergeant Mayra Reeson on the 5-0 Info Show to talk about women in law enforcement and the 30x30 Initiative.

The 5-0 Inf o Show airs Sunday mornings on KTAR.