The Minneapolis Police Department is looking for women who are interested in building a career with the state’s largest police force.
Sgt. Keia Boyd, who put on the Minneapolis badge in 2006, has risen in rank and now oversees hiring and recruiting for the force. “One of my passions is not just bringing diversity but bringing women to the department,” said Sgt. Keia Boyd. “To see women coming to the profession instead of being steered into social work or more behind-the-scenes positions brings a big smile to my face.”
Boyd decided she wanted to be a police officer at the age of seven, and encouraged other young women who are recent high school graduates or GED holders to consider some of the career options within the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), from civilian community service positions to sworn officers to “laterals”—licensed police officers from other jurisdictions who would be interested in working in Minneapolis.
“I like to mentor our young ladies through the hiring process, so they won’t be discouraged,” said Boyd. She explained that police work can also be a meaningful second career path for women who are more seasoned.
“You can be in your 40s. We don’t have an age cap; we will meet you where you are. We don’t have a fitness requirement,” she said. “We are telling our ladies you don’t have to go to college for law enforcement. Your psychology major, your sociology major, your teaching degree, all those skills can be applied out there on the street.”
The MPD is currently in a rebuilding phase. After the murder of George Floyd, some 300 sworn officers resigned or retired. While the department has a budget to employ 731 officers, the city force is well below that number right now.
Currently, there are four female cadets in the training process, preparing to join the MPD, a number that is up from the past few years. Sgt. Boyd said she is “overjoyed” with that number, but she notes that there is plenty of room for improvement when it comes to recruiting women whose unique skills are needed and valued.
“The word is out there that we can do it,” she Boyd. “Females are statistically better de-escalators, better nurturers. We listen; we calm a situation down. This is an opportunity to meet people before they get arrested or before they get in the system. You can make a difference.”
For more info, visit www.minneapolismn.gov/government/jobs/police-jobs.