Submitted photoThomasville Police Department female officers attending the first Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety conference are, from left to right, Crystal Parker, Kathy Baillargeon, Olivia Jones, Elisa Carter, Kim Dyke, Stefanie Hadley, India Spivey, Donna Langston and Lisa Maxwell.

THOMASVILLE — Not too long ago, only a handful of female police officers were with Thomasville Police Department. Today, TPD has more sworn female officers than ever before.

Policewomen now make up about 18 percent of the TPD force, well above the national average of 13 percent, Chief Troy Rich said.

“Although women have been in the field of policing since the beginning of the 20th century, the road has not always been easy,” he said. “In many departments nationwide, female officers have experienced various challenges joining a male-dominated career field. Sadly, some women never pursue their dreams of policing because of a fear of entering a non-traditional career. Many others, however, have fought valiantly to prove themselves and to promote gender equality.”

One such woman is Sgt. Courtney Gale of the Athens-Clark County Police Department who, along with a board of other women in public safety, established the Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety (GAWPS).

Recently, TPD female officers attended the first conference for GAWPS and came away inspired.

“It is great to have an organization where women can network to share information, ideas and a wealth of knowledge and experience,” TPD Lt. Kathy Baillargeon said. “After serving with the Thomasville Police Department for over 25 years and working through many challenges as a female officer in what has been and still is a predominantly male profession, it was an honor to attend a conference put on by women for women in public service.”

GAWPS was created to provide professional growth opportunities for women employed in public safety, including law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services or telecommunications. 

“GAWPS provides many training, education and mentoring opportunities,” TPD CSI Lisa Maxwell said. “The 2017 conference keynote speaker was Sheriff Janis Mangum, the second female sheriff in the state of Georgia, and provided classes in civil rights and liberties by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tamara McKen.”

The conference also included information from Emory University on the Community Resilience Model, which addresses compassion fatigue and mental health issues. Leadership Practices by Chief Lou Dekmar of the LaGrange Police Department and Recognizing Bias by Lt. Richard Odum of Athens-Clark County Police also were on this year’s agenda.

Rich said TPD has long embraced the value of women in policing. He views GAWPS  as a way to promote achievements and needs of women in policing, and provide an environment to encourage growth and professional development while providing networking opportunities.

“Women are excellent at diffusing tense and chaotic situations,” Rich said. “They have communication talents that most male officers do not use as readily, or as effectively. We need to embrace and promote their abilities and provide additional opportunities for training and growth, all of which were accomplished through this first GAWPS conference.”

Of TPD’s female officers, three are lieutenants, one is a crime scene investigator/computer forensics specialist, one is a detective, and the remaining six officers serve on patrol. Nine of TPD’s 11 female officers attended the first GAWPS conference in Forsyth earlier this month.

“The GAWPS conference gave us a chance to share our experiences and knowledge,” Maxwell said. “The networking possibilities alone made the conference a goldmine of professional opportunities.”

Baillargeon agreed, adding, “This was training that can be put into practice at any location or position in public service.”

Rich said that the conference more than achieved goals of TPD attendees.

“Our officers came away inspired and are looking forward to future conferences, networking and professional development through GAWPS,” the chief said.

For more information about the Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety, go to http://www.gawps.org.