Her Story
About Melinda
I have dedicated 27 years of my life to serving with the Dallas Police Department, where I currently work as a Public Information Officer. In this role, I manage social media, create content, and handle public speaking engagements while working directly with local media here in Dallas and sometimes national media. One of my proudest accomplishments was when I first went to the Public Information Office and brought the department's social media sites from 1,000 to over 200,000 followers. Throughout my career, I've earned my Master Peace Officer certification, which is the top level you can achieve after your basics and intermediate licenses. I'm also a certified TCOLE Basic Instructor, which allows me to teach TCOLE classes. I'm passionate about empowering other women in law enforcement, which is why I serve on the Board of the Dallas Police Women's Symposium. We just had our fifth year conference, and it was amazing with really great speakers and people from all over the state of Texas attending. The symposium continues to grow each year, and it's all about networking and empowerment for women in our field. After 27 years, I'm actually fixing to retire, but I'll continue to support and mentor younger officers, especially women, making sure they know their policies, rules, and regulations so they can stand up for themselves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melinda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have had some really great women in my life, but I've also had some not-so-great women in my life that have made me stronger and made me realize that I don't want to be that type of woman. Despite the fact that they were trying to hold me back, they actually uplifted me and empowered me more and made me better. I was also married twice, and I had a horrible first marriage that involved abuse and family violence. It made me stronger and made me realize that I can stand up for myself, and I will stand up for myself. It took me quite some time to get out of it because I was scared, but I got out of it and I never looked back. Here it is, 27 years later, and I'm retired while my ex-husband is not working, living at home, and not doing the greatest. That's just karma. Those difficult experiences shaped who I am today and gave me the strength to succeed.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice is empower other women. Don't see another woman as competition, see them as someone you can learn from, especially mentors. Find mentors and people who could help, and also become an empowering woman as well. We're not in a competition together. In order to succeed, women need to come together and empower each other. I've done this job for 27 years, and I can remember other women just not trying to help you, and now it's like, you know, I see younger officers, and that's what I try to do. I make sure to tell them to know their policies and rules and regulations, because you can't let not only senior female officers, but also male officers push you around. That's the purpose of the symposium that we work in - it's empowerment, it's networking and empowerment.
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