Cherise Gause
Police Chief, North Miami Police Police Department
North Miami, Florida
Transcript
Hi, I’m Cherise Gause, Chief of Police of the North Miami Police Department here in South Florida. The 30×30 Initiative aims to increase the number of females in recruit classes to 30% by the year 2030. The North Miami Police Department taking on this challenge demonstrates our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and following best practices in policing. This initiative focuses on addressing gender disparities within police departments across the nation and provides for a more inclusive environment for female officers.
Currently, women make up 12% of sworn officers across the nation with only 3% of women leading police departments across the United States. I am proud to say that the North Miami Police Department is currently comprised of 24% women holding various strengths as law enforcement officers. This demonstrates our commitment to inclusion and diversity within the law enforcement field.
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.