More women suit up as police.

Shreveport police is training 22 new officers. Chief Henry Whitehorn addressed the new recruits today.
The academy will last until June. These officers will undergo rigorous training, from sharp shooting to physical fitness.

The job of policing the streets can be strenuous and dangerous. Nbc 6 reporter Karen Hopkins discovered more women are "taking that risk" to keep you safe.


The guns, danger and action: policing the streets was once seen as a male-dominated profession.
Now, when you call for help, there's a good chance a woman will come to your rescue. Sgt. Laura Sorrells is one of 98 lady officers for the Shreveport police department. She joined 17 years ago. She says more women are suiting up these days. “The economy has a role to play, but with the new era of females coming out the mindset is different."

Shreveport has highest percentage of female officers in the Arklatex.
18 percent of SPD cops are women. More than double the percentage of Texarkana Texas (7%) and Bossier City (6%), even higher than Dallas (16%).

Some women who ride in these cars, don't stick with the job. Since 2007, 33 percent of women SPD hired have left, for many reasons. “The mother instinct: a lot of them might be mothers and they see crimes against children It's hard to get rid of the nightmares," Sorrells says.

Women can do any job on the police force. Physical fitness requirements are determined by age and gender. “I know others are larger. I can definitely hold my own. You have to use your brain. It's not just physical strength," new recruit Heather Boucher says. “You just have to prepare yourself to come in like everyone else and get the job done," new recruit Tiffany Reynolds says.

Heather Boucher and Tiffany Reynolds are the two newest recruits. Spd's history of female officers started in 1977. Assistant chief of police Cheryl Jeter holds the second highest rank in the department. She joined in 1981. “The ones who came before me set the precedent," Sorrells says--that anyone can rise to the top, regardless of race or gender.

Spd says it’s looking for more qualified applications to sign up. The next Shreveport police academy starts in July. You can apply now. The deadline is March 8th. Visit the department at 1234 Texas Ave, Shreveport to pick up an application.