Meet the women who keep our communities safe
By Becky Robinette Wright CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jessica Jordan gets ready to head out on her next patrol.

Chester resident Jessica Jordan is a real trooper about fighting crime and helping others - a Virginia State Police trooper, that is.

She's just one of many women who are breaking the stereotypes in law enforcement by strapping on a gun and badge and heading out every day to keep the community safer.

After graduating from her training academy last October, Jordan is now one of the state police's newest female troopers. The 23 year old is assigned to the Area 7 office in Petersburg, along with four other female officers. Out of 48 offices statewide, the Area 7 office boasts the highest concentration of women with its top position also being held by a female.

Before hitting the streets as a certified trooper, Jordan had a few lessons to learn. "Academy life was very regimented," she recounted. "Every day posed academic and physical challenges. I did not really have any expectations before attending the academy so the para-militaristic setting was difficult at first to become accustomed to. Being away from my husband and family during the week proved to be the most challenging aspect. I learned how important it is to pay attention to detail and be self-disciplined as a trooper."

Photo courtesy of Chesterfield County Crime Solvers Detective Jacquie Conner is the spokesperson for the county's Crime Solvers program.

More women choosing law enforcement as a career has made it easier for Jordan to settle into her job.

"I recognize that difficulty arises for some women in law enforcement. Personally while out on the road, I have not experienced signifi- cant gender barriers," said Jordan. "I feel that I was recruited, tested and trained in the same manner and with the same expectations as my male counterparts."

Every day on patrol is interesting since every call is different, says Jordan. But some days are more interesting than others, like when she's able to chase down the bad guys.

"I was involved in a high-speed pursuit that started in Hanover County and stopped when the suspect crashed in Greensville County just 12 miles from the North Carolina border."

Becky Robinette Wright/Chesterfield Observer Lisa Hackett manning the metal detector at the county's courts building.

Finally becoming a trooper is the fruition of a longtime career goal for Jordan.

"When I was in elementary school, a canine law enforcement officer came to my school," she explained. "Her visit to the school left a lasting impression on me. Completing my bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a concentration in crime scene investigation further enhanced my interest in law enforcement."

"I would recommend a career in law enforcement for women if they ensure that they are adequately prepared both physically and mentally before they even begin to fill out an application," continued Jordan. "I am proud to be among the 103 female troopers and special agents who are currently employed by the Virginia State Police."

Jacquie Conner Chesterfield County Crime Solvers

As spokesperson for the county's Crime Solvers program, Master Detective Jacquie Conner is probably one of the best-known faces on the police force. She regularly appears in public service announcements on television, wrapping up her segments with "take the time to solve the crime."

Her rise to local fame began in 1989 when she couldn't find a job after graduating from Radford University.

"I saw an ad in the newspaper for police officers. Starting pay was $19,000. I thought, 'Wow what a lot of money!' I took the test and was hired as a police recruit. Several people tried to talk me out of completing my training. I even had a couple of boyfriends offer to marry me if I would drop out of the police academy. Six months later, I was graduating from the police training academy. I must admit that the six months of training was the best time in my life so far. It was in the academy that I fell in love with law enforcement and made many lifelong friends."

"I became involved in Crime Solvers when I was the school resource officer at Bailey Bridge Middle School," continued Conner. "They had a Crime Solvers Club that met once a month. The club made announcements that highlighted school rule violations and crimes that occurred at the school or in the community. Students were asked to call Crime Solvers if they had any information about the violations. The tips that were called in would be sent to me to investigate. I was able to clear a lot of cases with the help of Crime Solvers tips. It was at Bailey Bridge that I realized how important and how strong of a program Crime Solvers was. When the detective position became available in 2004, I applied for it."

Crime Solvers tips have been responsible for bringing numerous criminals to justice.

"In 2007, we received 877 tips that helped to clear 230 crimes. More than $4,098 worth of stolen property was recovered and about $7,902 in illegal drugs was recovered. A lot of our tips are about fugitives. We have callers who visit our Web site, www.crimesolvers.net, regularly and call us with information about their whereabouts. "

"When I joined the 19th basic academy," Conner continued, "I thought I was in good physical shape before I started. I wasn't, but they got me in shape! When I graduated from the academy, I received the Physical Fitness Award. If you're female and want to be in law enforcement, go for it! Make sure you are in good physical shape and talk to people who have been through the training academy so that you will know what to expect. Do a couple of police ride-alongs to make sure that this is the job for you."

Lisa Hackett Chesterfield County Sheriff's Department

At age 22, Lisa Hackett was surrounded by a criminal element many of us can't even fathom.

"I found myself in the Virginia Department of Corrections as a correctional officer," she recounted. "I had completed my field training at Powhatan Correctional Center and then moved on to the Virginia State Penitentiary off of Spring Street in Richmond. This all-male facility in 1989 housed those individuals who were on death row. The electric chair was at this facility at the time."

When the penitentiary closed down, "The staff was relocated, and I ended up at Deep Meadow Correctional Center for a term of three and a half years," recounted Hackett. "I had the fortunate luck of being hired by the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office in August of 1993 and have been with the department ever since. I am going on serving 15 years with the Sheriff's Office and have held numerous positions."

Law enforcement seems to be in Hackett's family blood. "My father served in the military, and then joined the United States Park Police and retired with them after 25 years of service. I saw the hours he put in and the various shifts he had to work. I saw the extra work he had to perform in order to support his family of seven. My goal was to pursue the military, not this field, but the military didn't work out."

"In the Sheriff's Department I eventually moved into the Community Relations/Crime Prevention section, which was my passion. I really enjoyed the challenge of getting out in the community," Hackett continued, "and trying to make a difference in the citizens' lives for the better. I specifically enjoyed the work with our senior citizens and with the Virginia Special Olympics. Probably the craziest thing I have ever done involves fundraising for the Special Olympics. Yearly in February, we would raise money by collecting donations to jump in the ocean down at Virginia Beach. It was called the 'Polar Plunge,' and out of the seven years that I plunged, there were quite a few that were blistering cold."

"I have never felt discriminated against while being in this field," Hackett says. "The Sheriff's Office has an academy, and they don't discriminate based on gender. Women are held accountable just like the men. During the academy, as well as throughout your career, the women are held to the same standards in the academics and physical fitness just like the men. I wanted to be on the Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team, so I tried out and met all the requirements and was accepted as a member. I was expected to participate in all the training and maintain proficiency. Some of the training included rappelling, firearms, building entries, riot control, defensive tactics and drug identification. Due to my marksmanship abilities, I was designated the squad shot-gunner. If this work is your passion, go for it!"