Women in Law Enforcement

Women in Law Enforcment Exhibit

While Alice Stebbins Wells of Los Angeles PD gets credit for being the first female officer in the U.S., she was actually preceded by an Oregonian, Lola Greene Baldwin of the Portland Police Bureau, who was sworn in as a "female detective" on April 1, 1908. Since that time women have become a valuable asset and are significant contributors to the law enforcement community, both in the United States and internationally. Women now make up nearly 14% of officers in the United States (Bureau of Justice Statistics). The Museum is proud to recognize their achievements with an exhibit to coincide with the recognition of Law Enforcement Memorial Day, May 15, 2016.