This Great American Warrior article is brought to you by our partner, philanthropist, and LEO supporter Trudy Jacobson.
If you were to approach the average American and ask them what comes to mind when they hear the term “police officer,” they will likely think about a cop patrolling a neighborhood protecting the community.
But that’s just one element to law enforcement and what they do. There are a host of other roles law enforcement officers play that contribute to public safety and enforcement of the law.
In this feature of Great American Warrior series, we highlight not one, but three women who are providing highly trained and specialized services that contribute to law enforcement – Lieutenant Lauren Petty, Officer and Pilot Kristen Moritz and Texas State Trooper and Pilot Jaclyn Goodin.
Each of these women possess a unique and critical skillset that few officers possess and found a way to use them.
Lt. Petty has been a member of law enforcement since she was 22. She knew she wanted to enter police work after one ride-along.
“I had a ride along before I became a cop it was specifically here with the Tucson Police Department down on the South side. It was a very lively evening. We went to a shooting, we went to a stabbing, [and] the officer that I was riding with got in a foot chase, and being young, I wanted to be like super active,” Petty told LET. “I was really lucky to have that opportunity and to do some really fun stuff in my career.”
Her experience as a police officer helped her rise the ranks and now oversees several specialized units.
“I currently oversee a bunch of really cool units. One of the units that I oversee is the air support unit, the helicopters back here that we have, we have several pilots and also drone operators within our division,” Petty said. “I also oversee our hostage negotiations, I’m the commander over that team, I have the motorcycle cops, [and] the DUI squad traffic investigators.”
Kristen Moritz, pilot, also fell in love with law enforcement after ride-alongs.
“I had a couple opportunities to do ride alongs with Marana Police Department and from there I just kind of fell in love with it [law enforcement],” Moritz told LET.
However, Moritz was discouraged by her family to go into law enforcement and instead found herself working in the casino industry. After having children, she decided she wanted to be a role model for her children that didn’t include the casino industry.
“I wanted to do something that represented myself well and be an example for them. And I didn't think working in the casino industry was really that job so I applied to the Tucson Police Department,” Moritz said.
Moritz’s intelligence, maturity and motivation shined in the department. No one was surprised to learn that she ended up in the air support division flying helicopters.
“What I like about being a police officer and with air support is every day is a new day. I never walk into the same thing each and every day. And being down at air support I love being available to work the entire city not just a certain area of town,” she said.
Texas State Trooper and Pilot Jaclyn Goodin was inspired to enter law enforcement long before ride-alongs were even an option.
“I always had great interactions with law enforcement growing up and just seeing the positivity that they bring to our community,” Goodin said.
That same desire carried into young adulthood where she worked at a gun range. Many of her friends and colleagues were police officers and that only strengthened her resolve to enter law enforcement.
“I had a lot of friends in law enforcement that I highly respected. I loved to hear what they did and I honestly just thought, “Man I feel like I could do that and succeed and help people even further than what I'm doing now,’” she said.
Although these women have found success, they each understand the uniqueness of being a woman in law enforcement.
Gooding sees the positive because she understands that women simply communicate differently than men.
“The women may be a little more tender hearted than the typical more masculine male roles that are played. So I think a lot of people can relate to women and, especially, if you're friendly and respectful to people,” Goodin said.
Moritz added, “We noticed over the years that women bring a completely different dynamic to the profession and that's super important. I think law enforcement in general realized that. At that time we started recruiting more women, started going to different events and telling younger females, and people that have been around for a while in professions, ‘Hey look you can do this it doesn't matter what size you are.’”
A Message from Trudy Jacobson
“These women are setting examples for future generations of women in law enforcement. Their dedication and commitment to duty is unmatched and that’s what makes them Great American Warriors. – Trudy Jacobson
To learn more about Trudy Jacobson and her support of female first responders, veterans, and entrepreneurs, go to www.TrudyJacobson.com
Also subscribe to Trudy Jacobson’s YouTube channel to watch the other Great American Warrior interviews at https://www.youtube.com/@trudyjacobsonta
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
If you were to approach the average American and ask them what comes to mind when they hear the term “police officer,” they will likely think about a cop patrolling a neighborhood protecting the community.
But that’s just one element to law enforcement and what they do. There are a host of other roles law enforcement officers play that contribute to public safety and enforcement of the law.
In this feature of Great American Warrior series, we highlight not one, but three women who are providing highly trained and specialized services that contribute to law enforcement – Lieutenant Lauren Petty, Officer and Pilot Kristen Moritz and Texas State Trooper and Pilot Jaclyn Goodin.
Each of these women possess a unique and critical skillset that few officers possess and found a way to use them.
Lt. Petty has been a member of law enforcement since she was 22. She knew she wanted to enter police work after one ride-along.
“I had a ride along before I became a cop it was specifically here with the Tucson Police Department down on the South side. It was a very lively evening. We went to a shooting, we went to a stabbing, [and] the officer that I was riding with got in a foot chase, and being young, I wanted to be like super active,” Petty told LET. “I was really lucky to have that opportunity and to do some really fun stuff in my career.”
Her experience as a police officer helped her rise the ranks and now oversees several specialized units.
“I currently oversee a bunch of really cool units. One of the units that I oversee is the air support unit, the helicopters back here that we have, we have several pilots and also drone operators within our division,” Petty said. “I also oversee our hostage negotiations, I’m the commander over that team, I have the motorcycle cops, [and] the DUI squad traffic investigators.”
Kristen Moritz, pilot, also fell in love with law enforcement after ride-alongs.
“I had a couple opportunities to do ride alongs with Marana Police Department and from there I just kind of fell in love with it [law enforcement],” Moritz told LET.
However, Moritz was discouraged by her family to go into law enforcement and instead found herself working in the casino industry. After having children, she decided she wanted to be a role model for her children that didn’t include the casino industry.
“I wanted to do something that represented myself well and be an example for them. And I didn't think working in the casino industry was really that job so I applied to the Tucson Police Department,” Moritz said.
Moritz’s intelligence, maturity and motivation shined in the department. No one was surprised to learn that she ended up in the air support division flying helicopters.
“What I like about being a police officer and with air support is every day is a new day. I never walk into the same thing each and every day. And being down at air support I love being available to work the entire city not just a certain area of town,” she said.
Texas State Trooper and Pilot Jaclyn Goodin was inspired to enter law enforcement long before ride-alongs were even an option.
“I always had great interactions with law enforcement growing up and just seeing the positivity that they bring to our community,” Goodin said.
That same desire carried into young adulthood where she worked at a gun range. Many of her friends and colleagues were police officers and that only strengthened her resolve to enter law enforcement.
“I had a lot of friends in law enforcement that I highly respected. I loved to hear what they did and I honestly just thought, “Man I feel like I could do that and succeed and help people even further than what I'm doing now,’” she said.
Although these women have found success, they each understand the uniqueness of being a woman in law enforcement.
Gooding sees the positive because she understands that women simply communicate differently than men.
“The women may be a little more tender hearted than the typical more masculine male roles that are played. So I think a lot of people can relate to women and, especially, if you're friendly and respectful to people,” Goodin said.
Moritz added, “We noticed over the years that women bring a completely different dynamic to the profession and that's super important. I think law enforcement in general realized that. At that time we started recruiting more women, started going to different events and telling younger females, and people that have been around for a while in professions, ‘Hey look you can do this it doesn't matter what size you are.’”
A Message from Trudy Jacobson
“These women are setting examples for future generations of women in law enforcement. Their dedication and commitment to duty is unmatched and that’s what makes them Great American Warriors. – Trudy Jacobson
To learn more about Trudy Jacobson and her support of female first responders, veterans, and entrepreneurs, go to www.TrudyJacobson.com
Also subscribe to Trudy Jacobson’s YouTube channel to watch the other Great American Warrior interviews at https://www.youtube.com/@trudyjacobsonta
-----------------
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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