Forging an Inclusive and Just Society

Chief Vera Bumpers, Harris County, TX Metro Transit Authority Police, made history as the first woman and first African-American to ascend through every rank. As Chief, Bumpers prioritizes extending advancement opportunities to women and minorities within the agency. She also created and instituted the cooperative urban policing model, which focuses on addressing implicit bias, peer accountability, and law enforcement responsibility.

Carol Ruth Silver, Former Director of Prisoner Legal Services for the San Francisco, CA Sheriff's Department, has been a formidable force in law, politics, and social advocacy, marking several firsts in her fight for the rights of marginalized communities at both local and international levels. Silver was one of the Freedom Riders who challenged segregation in the South, spending 40 days in Mississippi jails.

Sergeant Cheryl Dorsey (Ret.) from the Los Angeles, CA Police Department, broke new ground as the first African-American female officer to attend the LAPD’s Motor School, and the first Officer-In-Charge of the Newton Area Vice. She continues to advocate for change as a respected policing expert, frequently appearing as a commentator on national news outlets, where she uses her experiences to fight against social and institutional disparities.

Transformation Through Innovation

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr (Ret.), Seattle, WA, led the shift in policing from a warrior mindset to one of guardianship and partnership with the people officers serve, implementing the LEED Program (Listen, Explain, Equity, Dignity) as Executive Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Her contributions to national policing reform through this groundbreaking program, and her work in procedural justice, have been profound. Rahr was the first woman elected to the position of Sheriff. 

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang has innovated in criminal justice reform through educational initiatives and groundbreaking collaborations. She created a first-of-its-kind college class that brings together incarcerated students and prosecutors to study criminal justice and develop policy together, which has become a national model.

Judge Cylenthia LaToye Miller, Detroit, MI, founded the Street Outreach Court, the first of its kind to allow homeless individuals to work towards resolving legal issues through personal improvement efforts -- a transformative approach to justice for one of the most vulnerable populations.

Champions of Restorative Justice

A leader in implementing restorative justice programs, retired Presiding Judge and current District Attorney Diana Becton has broken barriers as the first woman and African-American DA in Contra Costa County, CA.

District Attorney Natasha Irving, of the Sixth Prosecutorial District of Maine, similarly made history by becoming the first woman elected as DA in the district, which encompasses four counties. DA Irving focuses on restorative justice principles and alternative pathways beyond incarceration.

Judge Mary Helen Maynard (Ret.), Nogales, AZ, founded Circles of Peace, the first court-referred domestic violence treatment program that employs a restorative justice circle approach. This innovative program represents a significant departure from traditional punitive measures, emphasizing healing and community engagement.

Making Strides Against the War on Drugs

District Attorney Julie Garcia (Fmr.) made history as the first woman elected to the position in Essex County, NY. She focused on working to proactively reduce crime through collaboration. Recently, as an attorney in private practice, Garcia won a two-year battle to secure medical cannabis access for probationers in Warren County, NY, through meetings, conversations, and education, rather than litigation.

Sheriff's Deputy Carrie Roberts (Fmr.), Arapahoe County, CO, founded the nation's first mystery shopping company focused on the cannabis industry. This initiative creates a vital link between law enforcement perspectives and the evolving legal cannabis market by evaluating the customer experience and regulatory compliance of cannabis retailers.

Patrol Officer Beth Comery (Fmr.), Providence, RI. broke barriers as one of the first women in a force of 400 men. She continues to make a difference as a regular contributor to the Providence Daily Dose news outlet, writing about the detrimental effects of the drug war.

Redefining Policing and Prioritizing Community Engagement

Chief Jennifer Tejada (Ret.) has been a trailblazer as the first female chief of the Emeryville, CA police department and, before that, served as the highest ranking female officer in Marin County, CA. As Chief, she was known for her strong focus on community driven policing, juvenile justice reform, and officer wellness.

Superintendent Christine Elow, Cambridge, MA, has achieved the distinction of being the highest-ranking female officer in her department's history, advocating for community-driven policing. She is an expert in procedural justice, and police training and hiring practices.

Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella Spruill, Newark, NJ, is the first woman and African-American appointed to the position. Spruill retired from the Essex County, NJ Prosecutor's Office, where she was also the first African-American woman Chief of Detectives. Her work has focused on ethical policing practices and fostering a culture of integrity, fairness, and community partnership.

Support and Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Chief Deirdre Jones, Greater Cleveland, OH Regional Transit Authority, broke barriers as the first female commander of the Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit, and the Division's first Public Safety Department’s LGBTQ Liaison, addressing domestic and LGBTQ+ violence and championing inclusivity.

Chief Betty Frizzell (Fmr.), Winfield, MO, became the first female officer on the SWAT team while serving as a Deputy Sheriff in Lincoln County, MO, where she also helped to develop the first sexual assault response team, and remains a strong advocate for victims. Frizzell continues testifying in front of the MO and WA State Senates for drug policy and criminal justice reform.

Similarly, Lt. Joanne Naughton (Ret.), New York, NY, was pivotal in establishing the country's first sex crimes unit, a trailblazing initiative specializing in the handling of sexual assault cases, setting a national precedent for law enforcement's approach to supporting survivors and pursuing justice.

In  solidarity,