NEWSROOM
30FORWARD NEWS
30Forward is more than a pledge, it’s a movement for cultural and systemic change in Canadian policing. Our News & Events page highlights updates from across the country, upcoming opportunities to connect, and milestones from our growing national network.
30Forward Research Summit - March 2026
In March 2026, the 30Forward Research Advisory Committee hosted a strategic summit to bridge the gap between academic evidence and operational policing. The event brought together approximately 30 practitioners and researchers from 10 police services and multiple universities and colleges across Canada to translate lived experience into a fundable research roadmap.
The summit was organized into four key pillars, each producing specific research priorities:
1) Recruitment and Retention
Participants identified the need for nationally consistent, validated benchmarks that reflect the skills required in modern policing. Key priorities included evaluating “pre-hire women’s bootcamps” and investigating the role of “critical mass” theory for improving retention.
2) Mentorship and Leadership
Discussion focused on the distinction between passive mentorship and active sponsorship. A major research priority is the audit of early mentorship and training opportunities to ensure new recruits receive support from day one.
3) Allyship and Inclusive Culture
The group aimed to move psychological safety from a buzzword to a metric. Priorities include quantifying the “downstream costs” of toxic environments (e.g., litigation, sick leave) and using behavioural “nudges” to shift organizational norms.
4) Health, Wellness, and Operational Flexibility
A new focus emerged on the “invisible load” carried by women. Future research will examine transitions in and out of maternity leave, equipment equity for women’s bodies, and support for high-pressure roles during menopause.
Next Steps: The 30Forward Research Advisory Committee will meet formally in the coming weeks to establish dedicated working groups around these themes. These groups will decentralize the work and begin the process of turning these priorities into active, multi-site studies.
30Forward Launch Oct 9, 2025
The 30Forward initiative officially launched during the Building Bridges Evidence-Based Policing Conference held on October 9–10, 2025. The launch was presented by Inspector Valarie Gates, Co-Creator and Co-Lead of 30Forward, alongside the 30Forward Executive Committee.
This milestone brought together police leaders, researchers, and partners from across Canada to introduce a national framework with measurable commitments focused on recruitment, retention, mentorship, allyship, and building an inclusive culture within policing.
Learn more about the launch event here: 30forward.ca/launch/
30Forward: Canada’s national step change for women in policing (Policing Insight)
30Forward: Canada’s national step change for women in policing
This month’s Building Bridges Evidence-Based Policing Conference in Ontario saw the launch of 30Forward, Canada’s first national initiative dedicated to increasing the representation and improving the experiences of women in policing; Policing Insight’s Christine Townsend spoke to Barrie Police Service’s Inspector Val Gates, Co-creator and Co-lead for 30Forward, about the aim of the initiative, it’s collaboration with the 30×30 initiative in the US, and the importance of a cultural shift in policing.
Explore the full article here.
Waterloo Regional Police Service Joins the 30 Forward Pledge
On October 9, 2025, the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) joined the 30 Forward Pledge, an international initiative dedicated to building a more inclusive future that focuses on recruiting and retaining women.
Derived from the global 30×30 Pledge, which commits to increasing women’s representation by 30% in organizations by 2030, the 30 Forward Pledge looks beyond the next five years. It is tailored for Canadian police services that value a fair and inclusive workforce that better reflects the communities they serve.
“Signing the 30 Forward Pledge is more than a commitment, it’s a reflection of our values,” said Mark Crowell, Chief of Police. “Participation in this initiative will undoubtedly result in a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive police service for our members and for the community.”
Currently, 24 per cent of WRPS sworn members identify as female. The Service’s Senior Leadership Team, which includes a combination of both sworn and civilian senior leaders, is made up of 49 members – 25 males and 24 females.
The 30 Forward Pledge not only reaffirms the Service’s commitment to recruiting more women but also aims to identify and address cultural or systemic barriers that could affect the promotion and retention of women within the organization.
The WRPS is one of several police organizations across Ontario committing to the 30 Forward Pledge.
Explore the full article here.
The Belleville Police Service Signs 30Forward
BELLEVILLE, ON — The Belleville Police Service is proud to announce that it has signed the 30Forward Pledge, an international initiative dedicated to creating a more inclusive future for police members and the communities they serve.
The 30Forward Pledge builds on the success of the global 30×30 Pledge and focuses on increasing the representation, recruitment, and retention of women in policing across Canada beyond 2030. This commitment reflects the Belleville Police Service’s ongoing efforts to build a workforce that is both representative of the community and strengthened by diverse skills and perspectives.
“We are proud to join the 30Forward Pledge, which represents our shared commitment to maintaining a police service that values inclusion, opportunity, and representation,” said Chief Murray Rodd. “When our community sees itself reflected in the faces and voices of our members, it strengthens trust and collaboration in keeping Belleville safe.”
Barrie Police Service Joins the 30Forward Pledge
On Thursday, October 9th, the Barrie Police Service signed the 30 Forward Pledge, an international initiative dedicated to building a more inclusive future that focuses on recruiting and retaining women in the Service’s ranks.
Derived from the global 30×30 Pledge, which commits to increasing women’s representation to 30% in organizations by 2030, the 30 Forward Pledge looks beyond the next five years. It is tailored for Canadian police services that value a fair and inclusive workforce that better reflects the communities they serve.
The London Police Service has officially signed the 30Forward Pledge
OACP | Support for 30Forward Initiative
Thank you for your request for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police’s (OACP) Board of Directors to consider endorsement of the 30Forward initiative. I am pleased to advise that the Board is pleased to officially endorse 30Forward and offer our support in promoting its broad adoption by police organizations in Ontario.
We commend you on your leadership in the Canadian adaptation of the U.S.-based 30×30 Initiative. This groundbreaking initiative marks a critical and timely step toward transforming the landscape of policing in Canada by promoting inclusive, equitable, and representative police services.
While 30Forward builds on the strong foundation of the original 30×30 initiative, in our view, it is also a bold and uniquely Canadian vision. Rooted in national research and shaped by the lived experiences of women in policing from across the country, 30Forward addresses the distinct challenges and opportunities within our policing environment. Its focus on mentorship, allyship, and actionable, measurable goals tailored to the Canadian context sets a promising new standard for advancing gender equity in law enforcement.
We appreciate that 30Forward emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity, particularly in its early development phase. The commitment to holding national focus groups and integrating feedback from diverse voices is a testament to the thoughtful, community-driven approach at the heart of this initiative. This work ensures that the final pledge is both meaningful and responsive to the realities faced by police services and the women who serve within them.
By moving away from a fixed deadline and encouraging sustained, long-term progress toward achieving 30% representation of women at all levels of policing, 30Forward recognizes that real, systemic change requires ongoing commitment and cultural transformation.
As such, we are proud to support this important initiative and encourage others to do the same. The OACP commends the leadership behind 30Forward and looks forward to continued collaboration as you build momentum toward the formal launch in October.
NEW 30FORWARD SUMMER NEWSLETTER
30Forward is more than a pledge, it’s a movement for cultural and systemic change in Canadian policing. Our News & Events page highlights updates from across the country, upcoming opportunities to connect, and milestones from our growing national network.
A National Thank You! On behalf of the 30Forward Executive Committee, thank you for joining this national commitment to advance policing across Canada. 30Forward is built by, and for those working in policing, dedicated to creating meaningful, evidence-informed change. Your leadership and participation mark a defining step forward in shaping inclusive, progressive policing practices nationwide.
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