The IU campus and local Bloomington area has had its fair share of crime events so far this fall semester. With many concerned with a rise in crime, Officer Gabby Mitchum with IUPD gave an inside look at a night shift on campus. She’s one of several female officers in the department who are pushing for the 30×30 initiative.
The IU Police Department is one of hundreds of police departments across the country that have signed the “30×30 Initiative,” which aims to increase the number of female officers that make up the police force.
Other departments in Indiana that have also signed the 30×30 Initiative include the Bloomington, Carmel, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis Metropolitan, and Noblesville police departments.
IUPD Officer Gabby Mitchum was sworn in as a new officer in 2021. She says that she is grateful to be apart of a department that has joined the coalition to promote a positive work environment for female officers:
“I’m very happy we were able to sign that initiative to get more women in law enforcement,” Mitchum said, “It was a great opportunity to be a part of.”
Currently, female officers make up roughly 20% of the IUPD police force, which is slightly higher than the national average, at 12%.
Mitchum credits the IUPD cadet program in helping attract female officers to the department.
“It’s a great program, and it’s very competitive,” Mitchum said.
A graduate and former soccer player of IU East, Officer Mitchum was vocal about her time in college and serving as an IUPD cadet, including an ironic job in college!
Officer Mitchum talks time at IU East, and serving in the cadet program.
The night shift on that cold Thursday evening started slow, but after awhile the action picked up. It was a game night, so much of the action was packed into Assembly Hall.
On the northeast side of campus, Officer Mitchum spotted a vehicle driving without lights on. A traffic stop to explain how to turn the lights on was enough. Mitchum says positive interactions with the public is important in keeping relations between citizens and the police on a good note.
“I try to be funny and nice to them as much as possible,” Mitchum said, “A lot of times people with newer vehicles think they have their automatic lights on, but they aren’t and so the taillights aren’t lit, and obviously that is dangerous.”
When police are responding to a call with lights and sirens, many don’t get the chance to feel what it is like inside the car.
While traveling on the south edge of campus along Atwater Avenue, Officer Mitchum was dispatched to a call of a struck pedestrian near the 45/46 bypass and Fee Lane. In the blink of an eye, the lights were on and sirens were blaring.
Weaving in and out of traffic, Mitchum cleared four-way intersections and was en route to the call. What felt fast and chaotic in the moment was only a mere top speed of 50 mph. Nevertheless, the adrenaline rush was there, and for a moment, I understood why officers like Mitchum enjoy working in law enforcement. Much like journalism, the day-to-day of police work is up in the air.
“No two shifts are ever the same,” Mitchum said, “It’s always curious to find out what all I will get into on a given night.”
Officer Mitchum responds to a struck pedestrian call near the bypass. Indiana State Police were nearby and responded to the scene instead.
IUPD allows members of the public to participate in a ride along. If you are interested in experiencing live police work up close, reach out to the department.
