The most diverse police class in DSM history

More than 40% of DSM’s new police recruits scheduled to complete training in May are women or people of color.

Why it matters: That’s the most diverse class in the department’s history, city HR staff told Axios.

The breakdown:

• 16 white males
• 5 Hispanic males
• 4 white females
• 2 Black males
• 1 Asian male

The big picture: Des Moines currently has around 360 officers on its force, of which about 90% are white and 30% are female.

• People of color make up about 35% of DSM’s population, according to the Census Bureau.

Also happening: DMPD organized a 30X30 employee committee, part of a national challenge for agencies to have women make up 30% of law enforcement officers by 2030.

• Only 12% of officers nationally are women now, per the Department of Justice.

This story first appeared in the Axios Des Moines newsletter, designed to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in their own backyard.

• Sign up here.