Michel Moore

Transcript

Hello, I’m Michel Moore, Police Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. Today I’d like to take a moment to discuss the 30X30 Initiative, which the Los Angeles Police Department has made a pledge to. By making this commitment, the department commits to diversifying the organization to increase women representation in our sworn ranks to 30 percent by 2030.

The LAPD proudly joins over 40 law enforcement agencies across the nation who have signed the 30X30 Pledge. As the Chief of Police, I witness daily the work done by the women of the Los Angeles Police Department. Acknowledging the women in our department today, I believe it is important to remember those who came before, and that systems of the past were not equitable and conducive for the recruitment and retention of women. While improvements have been made and are visible within the Los Angeles Police Department, we strive for greater progress and commit to exceeding the goals established within this initiative.

Currently, 18 percent of our sworn employees are women compared to 82 percent who are men. While these numbers show a staggering deficit, this comparison is not reflective of the contributions made by our sworn women, the department, and the community. The 30X30 Initiative recognizes the positive impact women make in law enforcement. The quality of service our department provides improves as the representation of women in our department increases. Studies related to policing indicate that women officers use less force; are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits; are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate; and see better outcomes for crime victims, especially in the sexual assault cases. The areas indicated are important to highlight because gains in these specific areas directly align with our core values and principles.

By signing onto the 30X30 Pledge, the LAPD is committed to improving the representation and experience of women in law enforcement. The goals of this initiative not only focus on recruitment but also ensure that policies and culture will intentionally support the success of qualified women throughout their career. As a partner in this nationwide initiative, we’ll take a hard look from a global perspective to determine how to best improve the experiences of women in policing. I am committed to increasing the representation of women, and to improve recruitment and retention of those already making our city and department a better place to be. Thank you.