Jillian McCoy, MA
Jillian McCoy, MA, is a highly accomplished law enforcement leader serving as the Commander in Charge of Criminal Investigations and Support Services for the City of Webster Groves Police Department. She is the first female commander in her agency’s history, a milestone that reflects her dedication, expertise, and trailblazing leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field. With over 16 years of experience, Jillian has developed specialized expertise in criminal investigations, sex crimes and child abuse investigations, homicide investigations, and crisis response, leading high-performing teams and complex, multi-agency operations.
A graduate of the FBI National Academy and Webster University with a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership, Jillian is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Public Safety. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in investigative oversight, emergency response coordination, and program management, serving as a supervisor for St. Louis’s Major Case Squad and acting as the agency’s public-facing spokesperson during critical incidents. Jillian’s leadership is grounded in thoroughness, accountability, and the belief that effective policing requires both operational expertise and compassionate engagement with the community.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jillian is a committed mentor, volunteer, and mother of two daughters, balancing a demanding law enforcement career with active participation in community initiatives, including the Special Olympics, school PTO activities, and Tip-a-Cop programs. She is a strong advocate for women in law enforcement, emphasizing self-advocacy, persistence, and the importance of paving the way for the next generation of female leaders. Jillian’s career is a testament to resilience, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to service, both in her agency and the broader community.
• FBI National Academy Graduate
• First Female President of Missouri Police Chiefs Association
• First Female Commander in Agency
• Webster University – Master of Arts (MA), Management and Leadership
• Currently pursuing second Master’s degree in Public Safety
• First Female Commander in Agency History
• First Female President of Missouri Police Chiefs Association
• FBI National Academy Graduate
• 2019 Police Officer of the Year
• Influential Women 2026
• Missouri Police Chiefs Association
• Major Case Squad / Homicide Squad
• Special Olympics
• School PTO
• Tip-a-Cop Program
What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to my dad. As a single parent, he raised me himself, and I truly wouldn't be where I'm at without him and the way he raised me. He was tough on me, but he was caring, and he really balanced how to shape me as a girl into a young woman and a mom. He really taught me at a young age what success looks like and how to get there, how to achieve that, and how to be goal-oriented and driven. Because I saw that he was all of those same things, he was my role model in it and pushed me to be that person. So it really is kind of why I'm where I'm at. His name is Curtis, and he's deceased now, but his influence continues to guide me. Being able to be the first and only female commander in this agency, graduating from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association as the first female president, going to the FBI National Academy and graduating, and doing all those things while being a mom is huge for me. I've done beyond what I ever thought I could achieve, and I still just keep pushing for more because it's never really enough. I have one master's degree, so now I'm working towards two. It's just that I'm always going to be doing something else to push myself and challenge myself.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is to be my own advocate. In a field where women are underrepresented, advocating for myself has been critical to advancing, leading effectively, and ensuring my voice—and the voices of other women—are heard. Combining this with my father’s guidance on being goal-oriented and driven has been foundational in my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I have a lot of advice for young women entering law enforcement. First, I love my job and my career, but I do have two daughters, and my two daughters come first. I wear multiple hats, and I think the most important hat that I wear is my mom hat. I'm a single parent, a divorced mom, and the work-life balance is tough, but family support is everything. To young women and girls who dream of a career in law enforcement, particularly, or in any field where the path for women hasn't always been paved for us, I always tell myself this: my voice matters. Their voices matter. Their strength is needed. And women's leadership is possible, if needed. Just keep showing up, standing tall, and believing in your own self-worth. It's lonely being a woman in law enforcement. We're only about 10% of law enforcement, and the higher up you go, the lonelier it gets. There's not a lot of women that are high up in their agencies, so it is lonely. I've really had to be my own advocate and figure it out on my own. You have to be your own advocate, because how can you advocate for anyone else if you don't know how to advocate for yourself?
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The best advice I’ve received is to be my own advocate. In a field where women are underrepresented, advocating for myself has been critical to advancing, leading effectively, and ensuring my voice—and the voices of other women—are heard. Combining this with my father’s guidance on being goal-oriented and driven has been foundational in my career.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I prioritize a family-first mindset, perseverance, self-advocacy, and a firm belief in the importance of one’s voice and self-worth. These values guide me as a leader, a mentor, and a mother, ensuring that I make meaningful contributions to both my profession and community.