The officers are elected every year by the Membership at the annual meeting and the chairpersons are appointed by the President. Subject to the directions of the members of the Association, the business and property of the association are managed by the Board. The types of members include active, associate, honorary life, and honorary. Active members are full time law enforcement personnel who are paid by public funds of any municipality, county, federal agency, or the state. Associate members are any retired law enforcement officers or any individual who by training or experience or professional attainments in law enforcement work is closely associated with law enforcement.
Associate members have all the privileges of active members.
Honorary life and honorary are persons elected by the members of the Association upon the recommendation of the Board. The OWLE is affiliated with the International Association of Women Police and actively participates on an international level with women in law enforcement. To maintain law enforcement work as an honorable profession. To be cognizant of the responsibility of women in law enforcement which is the protection and defense of individual rights. To strive toward true professionalism by preparing law enforcement officers through education and training to be current on theories and techniques in the interests of better serving the public.