By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Locked In With Ian Bick.

She was ten years old when she watched a police officer wrestle a set of keys from a drunk driver who had slammed into a toll booth, and her father stepped out of his car to help the stranded motorists. “I thought, okay, man, that’s what cops do. Like that’s what first responders do,” she recalled, and the seed was planted.

Early Resolve and Family Support

The guest, a career officer from a midsize Illinois police department, described how that childhood scene solidified a lifelong ambition. “When I was 10, I solidified, like I’m going to be a cop one day. And it never changed. Never have I wavered in that decision,” she said, noting that both of her parents were her biggest fans. Her mother, a stay‑at‑home parent who later returned to work, “was cool with it” and admired her husband’s dedication to the badge.

During high school, she abstained from drinking to keep her record clean for the academy. She even joked that friends would hide her in a closet to keep the police from finding her at parties, a testament to the seriousness with which she pursued her goal.

Breaking Barriers in a Male‑Dominated Force

When she entered the force, women comprised roughly 12 percent of the department’s 300 sworn officers. She noted, “We stayed at that 12% mark for females in policing, including my department.” The lack of female representation meant she never imagined rising in rank. “The pinnacle for me was just raising my right hand and becoming a cop,” she admitted, until a lieutenant encouraged her to take the sergeant’s test.

Her breakthrough came when she passed that exam, becoming the department’s first female lieutenant. She credited Lieutenant Doug Needham for recognizing her “leadership skills,” even if she initially thought they were merely “bossy”. The promotion was a milestone not just for her, but for the entire force, signaling a shift toward greater inclusion.

Mentorship From Pioneering Women

One of her most influential mentors was “Karen,” the department’s first female patrol officer hired in the 1970s. As a child, she had watched her father’s squad car pull up beside Karen and exclaimed, “Dad, that’s a Chick Cop!” The officer later became her field training officer. Their relationship was professional, but the impact was profound. Karen shared harrowing stories of the 1970s academy, where she was isolated at cafeteria tables and even received “maxi pads” stuck to her squad card as a form of harassment.

During a tense three‑week training period, the guest confronted Karen about their strained interactions. “Can you just tell me what I did to piss you off so I can apologize?” she asked. Karen’s response was simple: “Drive.” The conversation that followed revealed the deep scars of early female pioneers and underscored the guest’s gratitude for the path Karen had forged.

Memorable Calls: From Active Shooters to Community Unrest

Throughout her career, she recounted several calls that remain vivid. One involved an active shooter where officers were shot one by one, resulting in five fatalities. She described the moment: “We were stumbling over each other… I hear Officer Gomez is shot. I hear another officer shot. One by one, the officers are shot. They found five people dead.” The gravity of such incidents left an indelible mark on her sense of duty.

She also reflected on the societal upheaval following the 2020 pandemic and the George Floyd killing. Protesters set squad cars ablaze, shattered downtown windows, and hurled bricks at officers. “I remember thinking, Jesus, this is the bookends to my career. I started this way, and then in the middle of my career, we were loved, building relationships in our community, and then it was like somebody…” she said, highlighting the stark contrast between community partnership and sudden hostility.

The Human Cost and the Need for Emotional Regulation

When discussing the perpetrators she encountered, she noted a pattern of emotional volatility. “I call them ‘man versus moments’ where I’m just so pissed because you disrespected me,” she explained, comparing such incidents to road‑rage or bar fights that can change lives in an instant. She observed that many arrested individuals displayed a calloused attitude, saying, “I got caught, now I’m going to jail, but my boys on the outside are going to take care of my family,” revealing a troubling mindset among repeat offenders.

Despite the darkness, she emphasized the camaraderie within the force. “The feeling of being on a team… I felt like we’ve got each other’s back,” she said, describing the unexpected family‑like support that kept her grounded through decades of service.

Her story illustrates both progress and ongoing challenges in law enforcement. From pioneering women breaking through barriers to confronting modern societal tensions, her experience underscores the importance of mentorship, community trust, and emotional resilience in policing.

As the nation continues to grapple with public‑safety concerns, the veteran officer’s reflections remind us that behind every badge is a human story of dedication, sacrifice, and the hope for a safer, more understanding community.

The full episode of Locked In With Ian Bick is available on OBBM Network TV.