Most applicants to the Rhode Island State Police are white men. In 2023, white men comprised 75% of the state police ranks in the state. Women represented about 10%, while people of color of all genders were 17% of troopers. Black men comprised about 8% of troopers. But State Police leaders are working more intently to diversify their ranks, the Rhode Island Current reports. Last month, 29 new troopers finished 23 weeks of training and graduated from the Rhode Island State Police Training Academy. The class included four Black men, one Hispanic or Latino man and four women, two of whom are Hispanic.
To get that cadet class required going through 629 applicants. Among that flood of applicants, it’s up to Capt. Kenneth D. Jones, a 27-year veteran of the Rhode Island State Police, to oversee diversity-equity efforts. Women and people of color have not typically pursued careers in law enforcement with the same gusto shown by white men, he said. So he makes connections in minority communities to dispel the perception that Rhode Island State Police would not be welcoming. “When we are speaking with young men and women of color, in particular, we want to be those role models,” Jone said. “One of the reasons why I applied is I saw a trooper of color.”