Approximately what percentage of law enforcement jobs are held by women?

• A. 8%
• B. 12%
• C. 20%
• D. 25%

Answer: (B)

Representation of women in law enforcement has historically been low, with women making up a minority of officers. The best-supported estimate for the share of sworn law enforcement officers who are women is about 12%. This figure comes from national police workforce data and is a common benchmark cited in criminal justice resources. It highlights that while women have increasingly entered policing, they still constitute roughly one in eight officers nationwide. The other options would imply a smaller or much larger share than what national statistics typically show; 8% underestimates the current trend, while 20% or 25% would reflect a level of representation not generally seen across most agencies, even though some departments may be closer to those figures in certain units or civilian staff contexts.