Leading Ladies of Law Enforcement
Everyone has heard the phrases, “It’s a man’s world,” or, “The future is female.” And while policing has often been portrayed as a male-dominated career, a brief conversation with a few of Kentucky’s leading law enforcement officers shows that women have risen in the ranks and that success is no longer a battle of the sexes.
Reflections
Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt (Photo provided)
For 38 years, Kathy Witt has been serving her community, beginning in corrections at the local detention center and now as Fayette County’s first female sheriff, a title she has held for 23 trips around the sun.
At a young age, Witt’s parents instilled in her the idea that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. Frequently observing her parents serving their community in various roles, she soon realized she was meant to commit her life to public service.
When an opportunity arose, Witt accepted a position at the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, where she has worked in every division and rank. Without the intention of personal gain, Witt said she volunteered for any opportunity that allowed her to expand her service to the community. Eventually, she was elected to the office’s top position.
“I consider it a great honor to be among the 2% of women (serving) as America’s sheriffs, but I look forward to a future where sheriffs and chiefs are more representative of the diverse mosaic of our country,” Witt said, regarding women leading agencies.
Bardstown Police Chief Kim Kraeszig (Photo provided)
Policing 60 plus miles away, Bardstown Chief Kim Kraeszig said law enforcement was a lifelong dream as it has been her family’s career. Including herself, six members of her family have worn a badge.
Starting as a beat cop at the Louisville Police Department, before their merger with the Jefferson County Police to form the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), Kraeszig’s career led her to take on numerous roles, such as a street-level narcotics unit in a flex platoon, public information officer and much more. Promoting up, she served as the assistant chief of police at LMPD before retiring and accepting the lead position in Bardstown in 2017.
“I enjoyed every single day of my policing career, and looking back now almost 27 years later, it really has flown by,” Kraeszig said. “Every day was exciting and something I really loved doing.”
Armed with Advantage
So what does it take for a woman to succeed in a stereotypically male-dominated field?
Instead of new officers or deputies worrying whether they will “make it” in their chosen profession, they should focus on the advantages they bring to a department and set out to flourish.
Natural-born multitaskers adept at finding balance, women can shift seamlessly between leadership and other roles, such as parenting, said Sheriff Witt.
“Women are critical to law enforcement because agencies must be a representation of those they serve,” Witt elaborated, noting that by increasing the number of women, an agency becomes a reflection of the community they are policing. “On first encounter, individuals tend to trust people who look like them and appear to have similar life experiences.”
LMPD Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel (Photo provided)
According to LMPD Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, some have suggested that female officers use less force, have better relationships within their neighborhoods and are more compassionate to people in need.
“As a woman, traits of warmth, understanding and empathy, coupled with tactical and strategic cognition, creates an impenetrable force of both empowerment and understanding to protect and serve in a special way,” she said.
A New Day and a New Task
Since she joined the force in 2002, Glasgow Police Chief Jennifer Arbogast experienced going from being the only woman at the department to becoming the agency’s leader.
Glasgow Police Chief Jennifer Arbogast (Photo provided)
“It feels good,” she said. “There are changes in the nation, and people see these changes. We are going to have some struggles. That’s just the way it is, whatever field you are in …But, male or female, whether you are a patrol officer or at the top, the goal is that you learn from those mistakes.”
Though there might be an inclination for women to try to overachieve to prove themselves, diligence is all that’s needed, Kraeszig said.
“One of the things I tell officers, men and women, is to be yourself,” she explained. “Don’t try to be someone that you’re not. Don’t change to fit a specific mold. Just be true to yourself. Always be ethical and do the right thing, and you will develop into a great officer … I want women to believe in themselves and know they can do the job. They have every ability and should see themselves equal in a male-dominated profession.”
Horse Cave City Police Chief Heather Childress (Photo provided)
On day one of a young female officer’s career, Horse Cave City Chief Heather Childress said she wishes they could hear certain pieces of advice, such as not walking onto the job with a chip on their shoulder because they are a woman. Rather, she said, they should view themselves as what they are—an officer. Additionally, they should not always assume they are being put down. Instead, focus on what is being said and not how it is delivered.
And while stereotypes persist for both genders, don’t prove them right. Don’t make choices that will make it harder for the women who follow you into this field, said Childress.
“Don’t set her up for failure because of the choices you make,” advised the 21-year law enforcement veteran. “You are carrying the mantle for all of us.”
Shattering Glass Ceilings
The year 2021 began with a giant hammer to the glass ceiling of American politics when Kamala Harris was elected to the second-highest office in the land. And regardless of political affiliation, many little girls woke up the morning after the January 20 inauguration feeling just a little bit more hopeful about the dreams they wish to accomplish.
There is little doubt that women’s role in society has continued to change and evolve through the years, and law enforcement is no different.
Though they often receive less pomp and circumstance than they deserve, women in law enforcement have been making a bigger place for themselves ever since the U.S. female police officer Alice Stebbins Wells was handed a badge in Los Angeles in 1909.
Striving to provide equal opportunities for safety and success, the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training provides both men and women with state-of-the art-law enforcement training to develop essential skills, leadership and best practices in policing.
“In law enforcement, we are only as strong as the reflection of the communities we serve,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “The women who fill Kentucky’s ranks make our forces more dynamic, valuable, cohesive and influential. The importance of their roles is unmistakable, and serving alongside some of the most extraordinary female officers I know has been an honor in my career.”
Also helping to grow influence and accomplishment for female law enforcement professionals in the commonwealth is the Kentucky Women’s Law Enforcement Network (KWLEN).
Founded in 1998 by Eastern Kentucky University Associate Professor Dr. Kay Scarborough, KWLEN has continued to address topics pertinent to female law enforcement’s equality, recruitment and mentorship through a yearly conference, monthly meetings, training opportunities and fellowship.
Members of KWLEN are comprised of active law enforcement, both sworn civilian, retired law enforcement, educators and those interested in the profession, as well as law enforcement students.
“Providing an outlet for (students) to ask questions and make connections has proven beneficial in showing young female officers that they are more capable of being police officers within their communities,” said KWLEN President Jill Stulz.
And while the ability and skill of female officers are nearly no longer in question by agencies, Stulz noted there are still some ceilings that need to be broken. To even the playing field, agencies need to address areas of equal advancement opportunities, appropriate fitting uniforms for both sexes and accommodate pregnant officers so that they can have the career and family they want and deserve.
The best way departments can address the concerns of their female officers, according to Stulz, is simply to have an open and honest conversation with the officers and listen to what they have to say.
For more information on KWLEN visit, kwlen.com.
