It’s well documented the Chatham-Kent police services is under represented when it comes to female officers, and officers of color. But there are changes coming.
Chatham-Kent, like many police departments across the country, is having a difficult time attracting women, Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour to join the ranks.
The numbers are out there for everyone to see. With just 15% of the officers on the force female, that ranks the department second from the bottom province wide, and no women in the senior ranks.
But the police services board took note this week and voted to create a new position. It will be called the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator.
The position will focus on creating a culture change within the department and have the rank of Sergeant.
The new position will cost the department just over $100,000 a year, and they will have 4 current officers working alongside to assist.
