Women in Policing

Interested in a career in law enforcement?

The Gresham Police Department is committed to developing a team that reflects the community we serve, and that means boosting our female membership. 

Women police officers bring a unique and beneficial style of policing to the community and the department is always looking for qualified applicants to join our team.

Read more about becoming a police officer.

Police force opportunities

There is a wide variety of positions and specialty assignments available in the organization, including leadership roles. Gresham Police offers professional developmental opportunities to succeed. 

Benefits of becoming a police officer

• Officers know their schedules six months in advance
• Excellent insurance benefits
• Competitive retirement plans
• Comprehensive training
• Job security
• Pre-tax medical and dependent care accounts
• Equal opportunities for advancement

Police officer compensation and benefits 

Changing times

Policing has changed over the last couple of decades. So has the type of officer agencies are looking for.

• Gone are the days focusing on physical attributes such as height, weight and strength.
• The job still requires a high level of physical fitness.
• More important is good moral character and excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.

Training and patrol

New recruits will complete a 17-week academy at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training facility. Training topics include:

• Physical fitness
• Criminal justice system
• Patrol procedures 
• Ethics and professionalism
• Cultural awareness
• Tactical communication
• Procedural law
• Civil liability and civil rights
• Use of force
• Defensive tactics
• Report-writing
• Community policing
• Investigations
• Traffic laws

After graduation, carry out policing duties in a patrol role while partnered with a trained Field Training Officer.  

Candidate qualities

• Officers must be honest and have the utmost integrity when responding to challenging calls. 
• Members are often required to exercise courage and perseverance, along with compassion and understanding.
• You must have the ability to work within a diverse community.