Published on Tuesday, June 6, 2006
in the WCTV News

Women Wanted...

LT Tammy Binder joined FHP in 1990. Now she plays a role in recruiting and hiring new troopers conducting polygraph tests.

LT Binder said, "It's one of the most rewarding jobs because there's a lot of people that shouldn't be in law enforcement, and it helps us eliminate those, but there's a lot of people that really have had a horrific life and you're the very first person they've ever told that to."

But the numbers are disparaging. At the Leon County Sheriff's Office 30 percent of the force is female and 21 percent of the Tallahassee Police Department is female, but statewide that number's cut in half with only 12 to 15 percent female presence at FHP.

MAJ Ernie Duarte, Chief of Public Affairs for FHP said, "It's kind of difficult to tell you why one percent is lower or higher than the other, but that's not what we're really concerned with. What we're concerned with is representing the community."

That's why FHP is kicking off a program specifically designed to attract women. Already, 41 were attending the first job fair.

LR Binder added, "Women don't realize what opportunities there are. There is no reason everyone cannot promote in this agency."

Binder says in her 16 years on the force she's worked as a road trooper, traffic homicide investigator, and for the polygraph program.

She says promotions are in the future and she'd like to see more women take advantage of them. Although there is a shortage of female troopers, FHP says it is actively looking to hire qualified people of all races, ethnicities and gender.