The National Law Enforcement Museum in partnership with the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) will host a free-to-attend, virtual discussion on Friday March 22 on the topic of the profession of law enforcement for female officers.

Titled “Walking the Same Beat: The First Patrol of Women Officers,” the discussion will be moderated by Kym Craven, executive director of NAWLEE. Panelists for the discussion include four officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department: Deputy Chief Valerie Cunningham, Deputy Chief Catherine Cummings, Lieutenant Nikole Pilkington, and Officer Jaylin Harris.

The National Law Enforcement Museum says it wants "Walking the Same Beat: The First Patrol of Women Officers" to serve as a source of inspiration for the upcoming generation of female law enforcement professionals. This insightful discussion aims to delve into the experiences of women officers within a police department, examining the impact of pioneering female police officers.

“On Sept. 10, 1968, Sergeant Betty Blankenship and Sergeant Elizabeth Coffal Robinson of the Indianapolis Police Department became the first female police officers in the country to patrol a beat in the same fashion as their male colleagues. Because of these women, women across the nation gained a pioneering representation in law enforcement, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations,” the Museum says.

“Walking the Same Beat: The First Patrol of Women Officers,” a panel discussion, will be held Friday March 22 at 2 p.m.

You can register to virtually attend this live-streamed event here.