‘Be confident in what you believe in’: VCU Police recruits more women than national average
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The VCU Police Department is challenging stereotypes in the industry. With a new class of recruits graduating Friday, Nov. 22, the department's academy is breaking barriers in this male-dominated field. 8News spoke with three of the five women who are part of the overall 12-person class of soon-to-be graduates. "We just persevered and now we're here," said VCU Police Recruit Katrina Fleetwood. In a room seemingly full of men, a police academy classroom, one can find VCU Police Recruit Elena Winchester practicing disarming a criminal. You'll see Nadeen Hassan boxing a man nearly double her size. And Katrina Fleetwood can be seen fighting back after a massive spray of mace to the face. "Most people, when they think of, like, a police officer, they just think of, like, a bigger male," Hassan said. "They are the future of policing," remarked VCU Police Chief and Associate Vice President of Public Safety, John Venuti. The women told our team that they were all here to serve their community. They want to encourage women to follow their dreams — and their guts — even if that means taking on a male-dominated field. "There's not a lot of women in law enforcement," Hassan said. "There's not a lot of women that look like me in law enforcement." Fleetwood agreed. "There's room for growth," she noted. "There's room for change. Just being able to be a part of the difference … makes a huge, huge, difference." According to the FBI, nationwide, only 14% of sworn-in law enforcement officers are women. This new class brings VCU Police's team to 24% women. Chief Venuti added that the department is aiming even higher — striving to make that 30% by 2030. This goal is part of the national "30x30" movement, which addresses the under-representation of women in policing. "It really comes down to a couple of different things," Venuti said. "One is attracting and hiring females, drawing them to law enforcement. The second big thing about it is really transforming the culture within police departments." The National Policing Institute previously reported that female police officers are often viewed by community members as more honest and compassionate. The institute also said that female officers are statistically involved in fewer lawsuits. Women make up 35% of sworn-in leadership roles in the VCU Police Department. Fleetwood, Hassan and Winchester said they're hopeful -- and motivated -- to continue to grow in the field. "Go for it," Fleetwood smiled when asked to share a message to young women and girls. "Do not hesitate. Be confident in what you believe in. The mind is resilient. Don't overthink it. You will adapt, but overall, just be confident." The graduation ceremony is Friday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The VCU Police Department is challenging stereotypes in the industry. With a new class of recruits graduating Friday, Nov. 22, the department's academy is breaking barriers in this male-dominated field.
8News spoke with three of the five women who are part of the overall 12-person class of soon-to-be graduates.
"We just persevered and now we're here," said VCU Police Recruit Katrina Fleetwood.
In a room seemingly full of men, a police academy classroom, one can find VCU Police Recruit Elena Winchester practicing disarming a criminal. You'll see Nadeen Hassan boxing a man nearly double her size. And Katrina Fleetwood can be seen fighting back after a massive spray of mace to the face.
"Most people, when they think of, like, a police officer, they just think of, like, a bigger male," Hassan said.
"They are the future of policing," remarked VCU Police Chief and Associate Vice President of Public Safety, John Venuti.
The women told our team that they were all here to serve their community. They want to encourage women to follow their dreams — and their guts — even if that means taking on a male-dominated field.
"There's not a lot of women in law enforcement," Hassan said. "There's not a lot of women that look like me in law enforcement."
Fleetwood agreed.
"There's room for growth," she noted. "There's room for change. Just being able to be a part of the difference … makes a huge, huge, difference."
According to the FBI, nationwide, only 14% of sworn-in law enforcement officers are women. This new class brings VCU Police's team to 24% women. Chief Venuti added that the department is aiming even higher — striving to make that 30% by 2030. This goal is part of the national "30x30" movement, which addresses the under-representation of women in policing.
"It really comes down to a couple of different things," Venuti said. "One is attracting and hiring females, drawing them to law enforcement. The second big thing about it is really transforming the culture within police departments."
The National Policing Institute previously reported that female police officers are often viewed by community members as more honest and compassionate. The institute also said that female officers are statistically involved in fewer lawsuits.
Women make up 35% of sworn-in leadership roles in the VCU Police Department. Fleetwood, Hassan and Winchester said they're hopeful -- and motivated -- to continue to grow in the field.
"Go for it," Fleetwood smiled when asked to share a message to young women and girls. "Do not hesitate. Be confident in what you believe in. The mind is resilient. Don't overthink it. You will adapt, but overall, just be confident."
The graduation ceremony is Friday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m.
