Pocatello PD may lead region in female officers

Female officers are few and far between in eastern Idaho, but not so much at the Pocatello Police Department.

Of the department’s 90 patrol officers, six are women, including Shannon Bloxham, who joined the force earlier this year.

“Every day on patrol is a different day,” said Bloxham. “I just don’t see myself doing anything else.”

“I noticed that there weren’t a lot around,” said Lauren Herrick, another of the department’s female officers.

Six officers may not sound like much, but the Pocatello Police Department is actually ahead of the curve when it comes to hiring women.

Women make up 6.7 percent of the department’s patrol division.

According to Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), women make up just 2.4 percent of the Idaho Falls Police Department, while records show the Rexburg Police Department has no female officers.

“Idaho Falls has 83 sworn total and just two female officers,” said Capt. Roger Shei, with the Pocatello Police Department.

Shei said diversity has always been a top priority for his department.

“We have to be good about actively recruiting out there and looking for those opportunities for those good candidates,” said Shei.

The women of the department agree.

“A lot of people say it’s a man’s job, but we’re here,” said Bloxham. “If you think you can do it, do it.”

Shei said as Idaho grows and becomes more diverse, he expects the number of female officers to grow.

Until then, he said women interested in a career in law enforcement are welcome to do a ride-along with Pocatello police.

The data from POST referenced in this report only include police departments — not county sheriffs or state police.