August 3, 2016
Assistant Chief Katherine Perez Named Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year
The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) has selected Assistant Chief Katherine A. Perez of the Federal Reserve Police for the NAWLEE/Motorola Solutions Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year (WoLEEY) Award.
The award was established fourteen years ago to recognize women in law enforcement who have succeeded in their own careers and dedicated themselves to mentoring and helping develop other female law enforcement professionals. The award was presented at NAWLEE’s 21st Annual Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
Assistant Chief Perez is an extremely dedicated public safety executive always striving to do more for the advancement of the law enforcement community. She is passionate about helping law enforcement personnel, especially women, to advance their careers.
“Throughout my career, I have been driven by the desire to be a positive force in the lives of others. Perez stated. Having grown up in difficult circumstances myself, I dedicated my career to bettering the experience of children going through similar experiences”.
According to NAWLEE President, Inspector Ruth Roy, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, “Kathy has always strived to be a good role model and is proof that hard work, even in the face of insurmountable odds, really does pay off”.
"Motorola Solutions, which creates innovative, mission-critical communication solutions and services for public safety and commercial customers, developed this award with NAWLEE. Director of Public Safety Marketing for Motorola Solutions, Tracy Kimbo, explained the importance of this award by saying, “Quality leadership in policing is critical and with today’s challenges facing the women and men who serve as our guardians, we are honored to help recognize these leaders”.
Perez has dedicated her life to the service of her country, county and community. Since the age of 14, when she was part of the Police Explorer Program within the Hartford Police Department she wanted to be a police officer and serve as a positive example in her community.
She began her professional career with the Connecticut Army National Guard in Hartford, Connecticut as a Military Police Officer. This experience provided her with valuable training and resources, which she used to fuel her subsequent education and law enforcement career. Upon completion of Basic and Military Police Training, she returned to Hartford and joined the Hartford Police Department as a patrol officer in 1983. In 1991, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where she oversaw daily patrol operations. In 1995, she was promoted again, this time to the rank of Lieutenant where she served as the Commander of the Youth and Family Services Division within the Investigative Services Bureau, and managed the investigations into crimes committed by and against children. In 2001, she was once again promoted, this time to the rank of Captain. She commanded both the Investigative Services Bureau, as well as the Operations Support Bureau before retiring in April of 2004 after over 20 years of service to the citizens of Hartford.
In 2004, Chief Perez encountered NAWLEE for the first time. As a brand new chief in District Heights, Maryland, she saw a scholarship opportunity through the organization, applied, and won. She quickly saw the “Magic of NAWLEE”, and over the following 12 years, Perez has been an active member and role model for women in the law enforcement community. She even served as the President of NAWLEE.
In 2006, Chief Perez was selected from a nationwide search to start the first City of Bowie Police Department in Bowie, Maryland. Under her leadership the Bowie Police Department grew to 52 sworn members and 6 civilian personnel. In late 2010, Katherine Perez accepted the Assistant Chief position with the Federal Reserve Police in Washington, D.C. where she provides her outstanding leadership and expertise to over 150 sworn and civilian members of the Law Enforcement Unit at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
About NAWLEE
The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) is the first organization established to address the unique needs of women holding senior management positions in law enforcement. Its mission is to serve and further the interests of women who are, or aspire to be, executives in law enforcement.
For more information, please visit www.NAWLEE.org
The award was established fourteen years ago to recognize women in law enforcement who have succeeded in their own careers and dedicated themselves to mentoring and helping develop other female law enforcement professionals. The award was presented at NAWLEE’s 21st Annual Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
Assistant Chief Perez is an extremely dedicated public safety executive always striving to do more for the advancement of the law enforcement community. She is passionate about helping law enforcement personnel, especially women, to advance their careers.
“Throughout my career, I have been driven by the desire to be a positive force in the lives of others. Perez stated. Having grown up in difficult circumstances myself, I dedicated my career to bettering the experience of children going through similar experiences”.
According to NAWLEE President, Inspector Ruth Roy, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, “Kathy has always strived to be a good role model and is proof that hard work, even in the face of insurmountable odds, really does pay off”.
"Motorola Solutions, which creates innovative, mission-critical communication solutions and services for public safety and commercial customers, developed this award with NAWLEE. Director of Public Safety Marketing for Motorola Solutions, Tracy Kimbo, explained the importance of this award by saying, “Quality leadership in policing is critical and with today’s challenges facing the women and men who serve as our guardians, we are honored to help recognize these leaders”.
Perez has dedicated her life to the service of her country, county and community. Since the age of 14, when she was part of the Police Explorer Program within the Hartford Police Department she wanted to be a police officer and serve as a positive example in her community.
She began her professional career with the Connecticut Army National Guard in Hartford, Connecticut as a Military Police Officer. This experience provided her with valuable training and resources, which she used to fuel her subsequent education and law enforcement career. Upon completion of Basic and Military Police Training, she returned to Hartford and joined the Hartford Police Department as a patrol officer in 1983. In 1991, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where she oversaw daily patrol operations. In 1995, she was promoted again, this time to the rank of Lieutenant where she served as the Commander of the Youth and Family Services Division within the Investigative Services Bureau, and managed the investigations into crimes committed by and against children. In 2001, she was once again promoted, this time to the rank of Captain. She commanded both the Investigative Services Bureau, as well as the Operations Support Bureau before retiring in April of 2004 after over 20 years of service to the citizens of Hartford.
In 2004, Chief Perez encountered NAWLEE for the first time. As a brand new chief in District Heights, Maryland, she saw a scholarship opportunity through the organization, applied, and won. She quickly saw the “Magic of NAWLEE”, and over the following 12 years, Perez has been an active member and role model for women in the law enforcement community. She even served as the President of NAWLEE.
In 2006, Chief Perez was selected from a nationwide search to start the first City of Bowie Police Department in Bowie, Maryland. Under her leadership the Bowie Police Department grew to 52 sworn members and 6 civilian personnel. In late 2010, Katherine Perez accepted the Assistant Chief position with the Federal Reserve Police in Washington, D.C. where she provides her outstanding leadership and expertise to over 150 sworn and civilian members of the Law Enforcement Unit at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
About NAWLEE
The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) is the first organization established to address the unique needs of women holding senior management positions in law enforcement. Its mission is to serve and further the interests of women who are, or aspire to be, executives in law enforcement.
For more information, please visit www.NAWLEE.org