Tulsa Police Department Hosts 'Women In Policing' Event

The Tulsa Police Department will be hosting a free educational event for women who are interested in law enforcement.

Several women participated in defense tactics drills, a physical ability test and a simulator that took them through real-life crime scenarios.

TPD Recruiting Officer Khara Rogers said even if these women don't become cops---they'll get something great out of it.

"If they decide not to do it, it has opened their eyes," Rogers said. "It has shown them a little bit of what they can take on for the rest of their life."

The drills and obstacles are not just physically challenging, but also mentally too. For some, it could be a bit scary. For others, it's exactly the kind of thing they're looking for.

"We had heart-to-heart talks in the room earlier about how this job is actually very serious," said participant Hannah Copsey. "But it is also definitely reassuring me this is exactly what I want to be doing."

Hannah Copsey says she has been wanting to be a police officer since she was 10 years old and has already signed up for the academy.

Xiomara Nahkala took the Women in Policing event last year and is now in the academy.

She says the event, much like Copsey, was a turning point for her.

"I think that learning from that event that there are women in police, and they can do it and they have fun doing it, was definitely a motivator," Nahkala said.

TPD says diversifying the department is a priority, especially since women make up 50 percent of the city's population, but only 18 percent of the police force

But Copsey says she's ready to step up.

"I'm sure the academy has way more resources and I am so excited to start," Copsey said. "You have no idea."