The Speaker

Capt. Det. Butner retired as a Detective Lieutenant with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) assigned as the Cadet Program Coordinator, which involved the development and implementation of a Cadet Program designed to increase the level of Diversity within the sworn uniformed branch of the MSP. She holds three Masters Degrees, two from Suffolk University in Public Administration and Crime and Justice Studies and one from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell) in Criminal Justice. Over the course of her 39-year career, DLT. Butner has worked for three police agencies (Harvard University Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police) and has worked in a variety of assignments including the drug unit as an undercover officer, homicide unit, auto theft unit, the recruitment and diversity unit, the traffic programs unit, and a sensitive crime unit.

The Workshop

Empowering Black and Brown Women Leadership in Policing : Wednesday, October 04, 2023 03:00P

Despite efforts to increase representation, the percentage of black and brown women in law enforcement has remained relatively stagnant for the past few decades. And the bulk of information on women in policing has focused on the growth of women in law enforcement, barriers, sexual harassment, gender differences, why women are deterred from law enforcement, physical limitations, and instruments used during the recruitment process, and the stress endured after entry into the profession.

The main reasons for the lack of black and brown women leadership in policing are sexism and racism, which remains relevant in law enforcement. Most men despise women telling them what to do, especially black women. Professional groups are very important for women. Sometimes, you are given a role but not the support you need to succeed. You can get that from being a part of professional organizations such as NABLEO, which encourages female mentors to instill ethics, morals and values respected amongst their peers. Seeing is more instructive than reading about how to act in difficult situations. Black women hearing stories of their peers facing hardships but remaining persistent and focused in moving up in ranks is imperative.

This workshop will examine the importance of the advancement and empowerment of women leadership in policing, by considering Black female officers’ concerns, values, and experiences in the profession of law enforcement, thereby helping to shape policy, procedures, and recruitment tactics aimed at the retention and success of Black female law-enforcement officers.