Women in Law Enforcement

By Richard Hannibal

The years of service 'hash marks' on my uniform sleeve indicate that I have been around long enough to see many changes in law enforcement. One of these changes is the evolution of women in law enforcement. The Morro Bay Police Department has fine examples of this evolution in the form of Sergeant Su Gomes, Officer Leslie Daily and Officer Stephanie Pipan. I have total trust in them to watch my back, and if the day comes, to save my life.

Morro Bay Police Department's Women Officers

Officer Leslie Daily, Sergeant Su Gomes

Officer Stephanie Pipan

When I began as a 'kid cop,' you had to be 5 foot 8 inches tall, have all of your teeth, have 20/20 vision uncorrected, and "No Gurls Aloud!" Law enforcement was predominantly a boy's club except in peripheral positions. Back then, the few female officers we had were called "Matrons" and relegated to working juvenile, vice and female custody assignments. They were certainly not allowed onto the mean streets of Los Angeles County. They were further demeaned by the badge that read "Policeman."

"The uniform of the day was a mid-calf length skirt, high-heeled shoes and, if they were allowed to carry a gun, it was carried discretely in an attaché case sized purse. Sexual harassment was rampant in those days of the vanishing breed of macho cop. When a female officer was paired up with a male officer, she often heard, "Don't worry about a thing, honey, because I'm man enough for both of us."

In the early 1970's the exclusive men's club was being shattered by more and more women joining the ranks. But the stigma remained; how would they react in a violent situation? This was quickly answered by the heroics of female police officers nationwide, who often gave their lives in the line of duty. About this time television hastened the evolution with shows about powerful female role models. Shows like "Police Woman" staring Angie Dickinson as LAPD Sergeant Leanne "Pepper" Anderson. This was the first television program to showcase a female police officer. This was followed by "Charlie's Angels" with the three leading female characters opting to become private investigators after being saddled with menial jobs on the police force. Then came "Cagney and Lacey," an Emmy Award-winning police drama that partnered two strong leading female detectives.

Even as late as 1980, there were only 178 women on the Los Angeles Police Department; less than 2 percent of the total personnel and few of these were in administrative or supervisory positions. The doubts about women in law enforcement persisted through the years until it was clearly shown that female police officers have proven their valor in the field.

And back then, the macho vets of the black-and-whites asked if something should ever hit the fan, whether the women cops would be there for them; or, in the absence of men, whether they'd be able to hold their own. Through the years female police officers have proven themselves with valor. Today, there is a saying among police officers of all genders and races, "We all bleed blue."

As an example of today's attitude towards police women, the Los Angeles Police Department now has 1,900 women, or 19 percent of the nearly 10,000 officers. Morro Bay's three female Police Officers also represent 19 percent of the total officers who serve and protect our city.

Because of my age, I was a little hesitant to get back into police patrol work. But, I watched Corporal Su Gomes (now sergeant) go about her duties coming up against some pretty tough characters. I watched as she, and later Officer Daily, used their femininity to calm potentially violent situations. I watched their feminine instincts come into play in incidents that ended with peaceful resolution simply because they were there. It was then that I decided I could use my age in much the same way, and it worked!

There is a wonderful collage of personnel in the Morro Bay Police Department. There are young and old, male and female and folks of all faiths, political views and personalities. Regardless of any outward differences, we are all dedicated to a common sacred trust. We are all dedicated to protecting the citizens, visitors, and property of Morro Bay; and we all bleed blue.