APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The Appleton Police Department has sworn in their first female assistant chief. Appleton-native Polly Olson is now the highest-ranking female in the department.
“Any time you’re the first of anything, I think there’s a level of excitement there. Right? [But] there’s a special meaning for me being employed here in Appleton, and in the community that I grew up in. But I guess it makes it extra special that I have been able to promote and move up in this organization,” Olson said. “I look forward to serving as a role model for other women and girls that are considering public safety as a career. They can look forward to knowing that there are opportunities in law enforcement for women in upper management.”
She points out that 30-40 years ago, departments often recruited people who were larger in stature or had certain physical characteristics because the job was viewed as a more physically dominant field. But times have changed.
“There are so many other pieces and parts of this job. Certainly, the last year has brought that to light when it comes to the social work aspect of the job, or other types of pieces and parts that we have to put different hats on for,” Olson told WTAQ News. “Women bring unique qualities to this position, as do people that might have different ethnic backgrounds. [They] can bring their life experiences to this job too, which I think can really serve them well when you’re looking at how to resolve conflict and deal with people from all walks of life.”
Olson’s new job will include supervising the day-to-day operations and overseeing the department’s 140 employees. She hopes to continue to lead the department in a direction that is supportive of future potential recruits and the community alike.
“Keeping Appleton on the forefront as far as being a progressive police agency. We developed that reputation back in the eighties already, and I think that this is just one more step towards sustaining that for the long term,” Olson said. “I always look forward to considering new ideas. Change sometimes can be difficult for police officers, but at the same time you can’t make things better for the community if you’re not open to changing how you look at things and how you operate.”
Not including two pending retirements of female officers, just ten of the agency’s 113 officers are women.
You can hear our full conversation with Assistant Chief Olson here:
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