University Police Join the 30x30 Initiative

Currently, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the U.S.  At 19%, our statistics at UB are better than the national average, but we can improve.

The under-representation of women in policing can undermine public safety. Research shows women officers use less force and less excessive force; are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits; are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate; see better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases; and make fewer discretionary arrests.

The 30×30 Initiative is a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in policing agencies across the United States. 

The New York State University Police at UB have joined this initiative. 

Our ultimate goal is to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030, and to ensure police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women officers throughout their careers.

Women have been significantly under-represented in policing since the profession’s founding. Various efforts across the country—such as the groundbreaking work of the National Center for Women and Policing—have significantly advanced women and built a foundation of research and evidence. But we still have a very long way to go. 

There is no universal experience of being a woman in law enforcement. Each of a woman officer’s many identities — race and ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and more — defines her experience, and often multiplies her exposure to discrimination.