History of Women in Policing

Historic Firsts in the Western United States

Alaska

Kodiak

Darlene Turner was the first woman Sergeant assigned to supervise a large rural post in Kodiak.

Wasilla

Angella T. Long was the first woman hired in her department and the first woman assigned to the Mat-Su Drug Enforcement Unit

California

Concord

Susan Jones was the first woman Sergeant and first Lieutenant for the Concord Police Department Lt. Susan Jones

Los Angeles

Lita Abella became the first woman promoted to Senior Lead Officer in the Wilshire Division.

San Francisco

Lorraine Lombardo was the first woman voted Police Officer of the Year by the San Francisco Council of District Merchants in 2001.

San Diego

Joanne Archambault was the first to work as a SDPD gang Detective.

Santa Clara

Pat Ruch became the first woman promoted to the rank on Captain in the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.

Santa Monica

Jacqueline A. Seabrooks was the first African American woman hired by the Santa Monica Police Department. She is also the first woman promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain.

Utah

South Salt Lake City

Theresa Garner was the first woman Chief of Police in her the South Salt Lake City Police Department.