Out In The Open

Fredericton's police chief talks about sexism and fighting for equality in the police force

What it's like to be a woman in the police force
(Vincent Carbonneau)

Women make up 20 per cent of police officers in Canada, on average.

For senior officers, it's only 12 per cent. When it comes to holding the top job of police chief, women's representation dips to less than 3 per cent.

Behind those numbers is a story.

Fredericton Chief of Police Leanne Fitch, one of only five municipal women police chiefs in Canada right now, speaks with Piya about the gender discrimination she has faced throughout her career, and her frustration with the many changes still needed for women in policing.