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Local, Federal Female Officers Gather to Showcase Shooting Skills

Female law enforcement officers from all over San Diego County put their shooting skills on display today. The San Diego Women's Pistol Invitational drew over 80 officers from 15 agencies. KPBS Radio'

Local, Federal Female Officers Gather to Showcase Shooting Skills

Female law enforcement officers from all over San Diego County put their shooting skills on display today. The San Diego Women's Pistol Invitational drew over 80 officers from 15 agencies. KPBS Radio's Andrea Hsu reports.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement hosted the event, but women from area police departments, the FBI, the U.S. Border Patrol, and other agencies attended. Paula Todd is an officer with the California Highway Patrol. She says the gathering is a testament to the strides women have made in law enforcement. She points out that when she joined the field more than 20 years ago, the only uniforms available were for men.

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Todd : The gun belt sat up high and it was boxy, it was painful. The uniforms now are tailored more for women, the vests are tailored more for women. Just all around, women have come a long way in law enforcement.

She says the event also builds camaraderie among women in the various branches. That's important, she says -- since law enforcement is still dominated by men.

For KPBS, I'm Andrea Hsu.