Officer BreAnna Brown
Muskogee Police Department
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Why did you become a police officer?
I became an officer because I have a strong desire to work as a police officer and believe in positively impacting people’s lives. I wanted to be a staple in the community and inspire those around me. Going on day-to-day calls are what we do but it’s when we encounter those domestic violence/assault calls or child/sexual abuse calls that are not easy. Every call is important but I feel in this area of calls, I thrive the most because you’re getting victims out of a hard and scary situation.
What motivates you to succeed?
What motivates me are my kids. My kids are the most important people in my life and I want them to see that you can strive to become anything you want.
What’s your most memorable moment on the job?
I can’t pinpoint just one memorable moment because I’ve had several. I’ve encountered calls and situations I never knew I would. This career has taught me so much and to look at both sides in every situation. I thoroughly enjoy and have a passion for what I do and I couldn’t imagine not being where I’m at today!
What challenges have you faced?
The challenges I have faced the most have been within myself. Knowing that I would go on a call and sometimes the outcome doesn’t always turn out the way I thought it would but that I did my job and relied on my training.
What advice do you have for women considering a profession in policing?
My advice to future women considering law enforcement is go for it! This job is exciting, rewarding and inspiring. Women are needed in this career field for various reasons such as trust and relationship building within the community, communication skills, honesty and compassion and enhanced diversity and perspectives.
How we’re changing policing
The 30×30 Initiative is a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations committed to advancing and supporting the representation, experiences, and well-being of women at all levels of law enforcement, both in the U.S. and beyond.
Research shows that women play a crucial role in building community trust, de-escalating conflict, and improving public safety outcomes, with evidence linked to reduced use of force and enhanced relationships with the communities they serve. However, women represent less than 14% of sworn officers and 20% of recruits in state and local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, about 40% of the approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. have no full-time women officers (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics).
We are collaborating with hundreds of agencies to make law enforcement a profession where qualified women who are drawn to it feel welcomed and supported while ensuring agencies address their unique needs and foster their success.