The Cook Islands police commissioner, Pira Wichman, says more effort will be made to promote women within the force.
He says only five percent of the police force are women and the country is lagging behind others in the region in terms of their employment and promotion.
Mr Wichman says there have been discriminatory policies in the past but this needs to end, especially where women are concerned.
"We've got a couple of extra senior sergeants and it's time that we look at their development. And, ensure that they get the benefits of training, similar to their male counterparts that we're sending overseas on a regular basis. That they enjoy those benefits as well and be mindful of those issues when we are doing selection for higher ranks."
Mr Wichman says there's also a need for more targetted recruiting because young girls leaving school do not see the police as a career option at this point.
