Rosanne Richeal

I’ve always attributed my success to having a strong work ethic and a disciplined approach to achieving my goals. I learned my work ethic from watching my mom work three jobs and my dad working for the city. I distinctly remember my dad telling me to keep my head down and focus on doing a good job. That singular comment has stuck with me through many defining moments in my life. I have grown to accept that I am a very goal-oriented person and like to finish what I start. I’ve also come to appreciate the importance of forming supportive and healthy relationships. At the end of the day, I believe success is how you define it and what it means to each of us.

The most meaningful career advice I received came from a female captain I worked for while preparing for the sergeant’s exam. After observing my work, she told me she would fully support my advancement because I consistently showed up with a positive attitude, performed my responsibilities well, and actively sought opportunities to improve both policing and myself.

That conversation stayed with me, not only because of what she said, but because of who she was. She had entered law enforcement in the early 1970s, a time when women were largely limited to administrative roles rather than patrol. She was a pioneer who navigated those barriers with strength and professionalism, breaking ground so women like me could grow, advance, and be taken seriously in the profession.

I respected her deeply because she lived what she believed. She demonstrated that credibility is earned through capability, not defined by labels. That perspective has shaped how I approach my career and continues to influence my leadership today.

Focus on becoming the best law enforcement professional you can be. It may sound familiar, because it is often said, but it matters. Do the work for what I consider a true privilege, the opportunity to serve your community and help people. That sense of purpose can get lost over time. In this profession, you see people at their worst, you face constant criticism, and support can feel conditional. If you can stay grounded in why you chose this work and remain committed to helping others, you will lead differently.

One of the things that concerns me most is the tendency for women to undermine other women. It is unnecessary and, ultimately, counterproductive. Leadership is not built by limiting someone else’s opportunity. It is built by creating space for others to grow and succeed. Efforts to sabotage others in order to get ahead may offer short-term gain, but they rarely hold up over time.

There is room for women to succeed, not only in law enforcement, but across any profession. The responsibility we carry is to support that progress, not hinder it.

Earlier in my career, I probably would have said the biggest challenges were everything and everyone around me. Over time, I have come to realize that one of the greatest challenges is internal, believing in yourself, staying committed to doing the right thing, and taking ownership of your own growth.

I have always been a strong advocate for self-education and continuous learning. Do not wait for opportunities to be handed to you. Seek them out. Be intentional about your development. Know what you want and take responsibility for building the skills and perspective to get there.

One of the most important lessons I have learned, and I share this humbly, is that pursuing your goals requires intention and resilience. It may look like putting in more time than the average person. You have to believe in yourself enough to move forward, even when the outcome is uncertain. Rejection is part of the process. Too often, we experience it once and allow it to shut us down. We internalize it, feel embarrassed, and decide not to try again. That response limits growth more than the rejection itself ever could.

Instead, keep showing up. Keep putting yourself in the arena. When you look at others who are doing work you admire, it is not about becoming them. It is about recognizing that you are capable of building something meaningful in your own way. At its core, it comes back to belief. If you want to grow, to lead, or to create something of value, you have to trust yourself enough to take the next step, even when it feels uncomfortable.

The ability to truly listen is critical. There is a tendency to fill silence, to respond quickly, or to move the conversation forward, but real listening requires discipline. It takes practice to slow down, sit still, and regulate yourself enough to be fully present.

For me, it comes down to being sincere, compassionate, and genuine. The traditional traits we often point to, integrity, honesty, trust, they matter, but I see them as outcomes. They are byproducts of how you consistently show up with people.

This is an ongoing process. It is not something you master once and move on from. It continues to evolve. I value learning, I value people, and I value different perspectives. Taking the time to understand others, even when their views differ from mine, has been essential to my growth.

I also believe in accountability within that process. I value integrity, trust, and honesty, and I expect that to be reciprocal. If I am misaligned, if I say something that does not reflect those values, I want to be called out. That level of openness strengthens leadership and builds trust over time.