Anchorage police officer Kristin Moulton attempted to entice a University of Alaska Anchorage student to join the ranks as a female officer by propounding the prospect of on-the-job variety.
"There's no better job," Moulton told nursing student Jazzmyn Williams. "Different people, different stuff to do every day."
That's what Moulton said she likes best about working patrol for the Anchorage Police Department. Interested job seekers often ask that question. Another common question is what it's like being a female officer.
The police department, along with other state and federal law enforcement agencies -- including Alaska State Troopers, the Juneau Police Department and the Alaska Air National Guard -- encouraged female students to consider donning their uniforms during a recruitment fair at the university's Student Union on Wednesday.
Several hours into the fair, Moulton said she'd spoken with six people who were very interested in joining APD. Women in particular are being recognized nationally as an asset to law enforcement, she said.
"Female officers are good at talking with people. We have the gift of gab, you could say," she said. "They're helpful in domestic violence and sex assault situations. Kids tend to latch on to us."
The National Center for Women and Policing reports 20 years of research that supports Moulton's assertions.
According to the center, female officers use a "style of policing that relies less on physical force, and more on communication skills that defuse potentially violent situations," so they're less likely to be involved in cases of police brutality and are more likely to help out in incidents of violence against women.
Fourteen percent of APD's 374 officers are women, said Sgt. Kristie Ratcliff. Twenty-four of those officers just started the current police academy. APD has actively recruited women for "a number of years," she said, adding that diversity helps the department communicate with, relate to and serve the community.
A fall police academy kicked off this month. Moulton said the department needs to fill its May academy. APD is trying to increase its numbers after losing 38 officers last year.
She said male officers enjoy having female co-workers, and she and other women are just "one of the guys" in the workplace.
Trooper Patrol Sgt. Michelyn Pylilo was one of five representatives of the statewide law enforcement agency speaking with college students Wednesday. She said women are underrepresented within the troopers' ranks.
Troopers have 14 female officers, according to spokesperson Beth Ipsen. She said troopers have been recruiting women for "quite some time." The first woman trooper was Fran Howard, who joined in 1970.
Pylilo is the only female patrol sergeant in the troopers. There is one female lieutenant and a female wildlife investigator, Pylilo said.
There is inequality in the agency, she said. Lines of communication among the troopers have started to open up, however. Without going into specifics, she said the lack of equality for female troopers is often subtle.
"We're making strides, and we hope to retain more women moving forward," she said.
Women occasionally quit their jobs because they find it difficult to work in law enforcement and raise a family, she said. That doesn't stop them from applying, however. Pylilo said several criminal justice majors expressed an interest in starting a career as a trooper, and one biology major inquired as to how she could get a job as an Alaska Wildlife Trooper.
Ipsen said women have to meet the same standards as men to join the agency.
"However, since women typically are smaller than men, they learn to deal with difficult subjects differently," Ipsen said. "They also have a knack for being compassionate and empathetic. They rely more on de-escalating the situation by communication rather than brute force."
Male troopers can be compassionate and empathetic as well, she added.
"The job is service-oriented, which requires good communication skills. It's not all about fighting in the streets," Ipsen said.
Those skills highlighted by the troopers and Moulton piqued Williams' interest, but the nursing student said she's still exploring her options.
"I watch a lot of 'Criminal Minds.' It seems like a really interesting career," Williams said. "I want to make a positive impact in whatever I do. If I could work in both medicine and law, I would. I was curious as to how they could coincide."
Williams is younger than 21 so she can't apply yet. Moulton encouraged her to go on a ride-along and gave her a magnet.
"Just think about it," the officer said. "Put this on your refrigerator. I'm glad you stopped by."