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Newport News surveys women for police careers

In Newport News, there are 353 male officers and only 67 women.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) -- Are you concerned for your safety? Are you comfortable using a weapon?

These are the kinds of questions Newport News is asking women. That's because they aren't applying to become police officers.

Newport News Police said they're actively recruiting qualified women and men to join their team, but women aren’t applying. The police department is trying to figure out why.

They're asking women to take a survey They posed the question, “what keeps you from choosing a career in law enforcement?”

Ashley Rogers lives in Newport News. She thought the job as a police officer is advertised more as a man's job.

“I think women see it as a male-dominated field,” Rogers said. “I think when we see commercials and movies with police they're men, and if there are women there's one in comparison to the 15 male officers.”

13News Now reached out to police departments across Hampton Roads.

There are more men than women officers across the board.

In Newport News, there are 353 men, but only 67 women.

“You got the boys club, are women really welcome into the fraternity,” Newport News resident Jackie Phillips asked.

The survey will be up for 30 days.

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