The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Sunday disclosed that it will assign female officers to key frontline positions, aiming to highlight their leadership skills and dispel the perception that women in law enforcement are limited to administrative duties.

Female officers will be deployed to critical roles within Civil Disturbance Management contingents, desk operations, and elite Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, according to a news release.

Acting NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said that in addition to their leadership capabilities, female officers bring reassurance, empathy and accessibility, which can encourage victims to come forward.

“Female police officers play a crucial role in creating a more approachable and inclusive police force. They serve as first responders, investigators and community protectors,” Aberin said.

“More importantly, their presence in police stations nationwide provides a safe space for women and children, especially victims of gender-based violence, who may hesitate to report incidents to male officers,” he added.

Aberin also stressed that leadership is not determined by gender, but by the ability to inspire, empathize and make sound decisions.

To foster an approachable, professional, and service-oriented presence, all desk officer positions, particularly in police stations, will be assigned to female officers.

“The NCRPO has a total strength of 25,743 dedicated, able, active and allied police personnel, with 19 percent of them women,” Aberin said.