Women Outnumber Men in New Class of Madison Police Recruits

Strategic Insights -

For the first time in Madison's police department history, women have outnumbered men in a new class of recruits. Among the 15 new officers, 8 are women and 7 are men. Megan Rogers, a nanny for the past three and a half years, is among the women starting her new career as a police officer. She was drawn to the department's innovative approach to community policing and its commitment to diversity. Rogers, along with fellow recruits Stacy Troumbly and Joannna Hollenback, are part of a new generation of female officers who are breaking down barriers in the field.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Madison Police Department has a national reputation for innovative thinking and diversity, with more than 30% of officers being women, well above the national average of 12%.
  • The department has selected 15 new recruits from over 1,600 applicants, with 8 women and 7 men making up the class.
  • Megan Rogers, Stacy Troumbly, and Joannna Hollenback are among the new recruits, each bringing unique experiences and backgrounds to the department.
  • Rogers has been a nanny for the past three and a half years and was drawn to the department's problem-solving approach and commitment to diversity.
  • Troumbly has experience fighting forest fires and played hockey in college, while Hollenback is a marathon runner and former fitness supervisor at the Ho-Chunk Nation's House of Wellness.
  • The department's trust-based community policing approach and commitment to diversity have attracted a diverse group of recruits.
  • The selection process involved scoursing the country for the best candidates from a variety of backgrounds.
  • The new recruits will undergo training and will be sworn in as part of the department's history-making class.

Statistics:

  • The Madison Police Department has more than 30% of its officers as women, well above the national average of 12%.
  • The new class of recruits comprises 8 women and 7 men.
  • The department received over 1,600 applications for the 15 available positions.
  • Megan Rogers is 26 years old and graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in criminal justice in 2007.
  • Stacy Troumbly is 28 years old and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in mathematics in 2005.
  • Joannna Hollenback is 35 years old and graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in legal studies in 2009.

Sources:

  • The Wisconsin State Journal, May 31
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
  • Wisconsin State Journal website: www.wisconsinstatejournal.com
  • MCT Infoservices website: www.mctinfoservices.com