kelly the cop
Born August 8, 1959, I am a lifelong resident of Maryland. Though raised in Rockville through my teens, I have been a resident of The City of Frederick for over 25 years. I moved here in 1983, eager to start a law enforcement career. I was drawn to Frederick by the city’s charm and small town feel. So, after a rigorous selection process, I entered the 25th Frederick Police Academy on June 6. The academy’s curriculum included academics, physical and firearms training, and scenario exercises. On November 23, 1983, I graduated from the academy, and was privileged at that ceremony to deliver the class speech. The City Hall Boardroom, where this took place, is now the back dining room at Brewer’s Alley!
As a member of the Frederick Police Department (FPD), I have served in many roles. My first years were spent as patrol officer. These are the officers who perform the most fundamental functions of policing; responding to calls from folks in need of assistance, traffic enforcement, DUI and drug arrests, and a long list of other functions. In 1986 I was selected for the Staff Traffic Bureau (STB), which was a unit that was responsible for targeted traffic enforcement, DUI arrests, accident report review, and administering Breathalyzers. After two years there I was promoted to Sergeant, and was given the role of Assistant Supervisor of the Special Operations Division (SOD). This Division encompassed the STB, K-9 Corps, and Special Weapons and Response Team (SWAT).
- our future!
After six years as the Sergeant in SOD, I was transferred to supervise a squad of officers in the Patrol Division. After one year, I moved to the Community Services Division. This group of officers, assigned to public housing, were the first steps in the now widespread community policing philosophy that strives to connect citizens with police, and with other government agencies and departments, to collaboratively identify, prioritize, and solve problems. While in Community Services, I started the Frederick Police Auxiliary; a group of volunteers that has grown to include a uniformed division, and that continues to serve the city to this day. In 1995, I was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division as the supervisor. While there, I worked on all types of cases, including child abuse cases, and two homicide investigations. Both homicides were closed by arrests.
My final career move was a promotion to Lieutenant, which placed me in the position of Commander of the Human Resources Division. In the FPD, Human Resources is responsible for the recruitment, selection, and hiring of all personnel, whether officers or civilian staff. Selection of police officers is a particularly rigorous and lengthy one, taking up to one year. I performed this function, and the selection of eight police academy classes, without the benefit of having any staff assigned to the division. The position required that I be familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Equal Employment Opportunity laws and practices, and other regulations and laws regarding the fair treatment of employees. I was also required to research best practices, and write General Orders for functions such as Performance Evaluations, Promotion Processes, and the Family Medical Leave Act. These responsibilities gave me opportunities to work with research methods, enhance writing skills, and work with our city at a command level.
I cherish my career as a police officer for the city and the people of Frederick. It is an incredibly challenging and rewarding profession, through which I have met thousands of people, under many circumstances. It was an honor I will always be proud of. After 22 years of service, I retired on June 6, 2005.
