The Regina Police Service (RPS) has launched the 30 X 30 Initiative and a new recruiting website.

The initiative asks participating police services to have female officers make up 30% of the sworn officers by 2030.

“Its focus is really to shine a light on the number of female members in law enforcement and to embed diversity in our organizations,” said Deputy Chief of Operations Lorilee Davies.

As for the 30 per cent mark, Davies said they used research to determine the number.

“Research has shown that when a group and an organization reaches 30 per cent, that group is empowered to create change in an organization, and that’s why 30 per cent is so key,” she explained. “They feel like they have a voice, they have a group of people that share their ideas, and that initiates change.”

The RPS becomes the second police service in Canada to take part in the initiative.

Last year, the RPS had 102 or 24.8% female representation in sworn officer positions of the 433 official police positions.

Davies said that they will be hiring 59 additional officers by 2030 to hit their goal and that it will take both the RPS and the community working together.

“We need young girls to grow up seeing themselves in an RPS uniform, dreaming about making a difference. We need women in our community looking for new challenges, new desires to consider joining our team at RPS, and so many opportunities for growth and learning as an employee of our service.”

The 30 X 30 Initiative also asks police services to examine their practices and policies to determine if there are any barriers to women.