Memphis Police Department


MPD home \| Women in Policing \| MPD Policewomen Speak Out History of MPD Women \| Career Opportunities \| MPD Women in the News
MPD Policewomen Speak Out The Memphis Police Department has meant many things to many officers and the women who wear the blue uniform of an MPD Officer are no exception. The stories below are from some of the women who make up Memphis' Finest.

Marty Houston – Patrol Officer Working for the Memphis Police Department the past seven years has not only provided me with an interesting job that is different every day, but it has afforded me opportunities that I would otherwise have not had. In addition to my basic law, physical, and firearms training, I have received training in several additional areas: I have been trained in Crisis Intervention for dealing with the mentally ill; I have attended Basic Sign Language training to better assist the hearing impaired; I have received certification for Mountain Bike patrol; I have been temporarily assigned in the Mounted Patrol unit; I have participated in an International Chiefs of Police Exchange Program where I spent two weeks working in Moldova (a small Eastern European country that was formerly part of the Soviet Union); and have been afforded the opportunity to work as a law enforcement officer at the 2002 Winter Olympic in Salt Lake City, Utah. This Olympic experience involved working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, the Utah Highway Patrol, and other local agencies in Utah. These are just a few of the areas that have enriched my life and career beyond any expectations that I might have had about being a police officer. I have been not only able to record, investigate, and prevent crime in the city, but have also been exposed to opportunities, experiences, and the diversity that only this career could offer. Sgt. Paula Harris and Officer Marty Houston pass the flame during the Olympic Torch Run.
Sgt. Terrie LeBlanc – Recruiter I began my career January 19, 1987 for the Memphis Police Department as a Police Service Technician (PST). As a PST I handled minor traffic accidents, wrote parking tickets and worked as an assistant for Judge Larry Potter in traffic court. After completing my college I returned to the training academy and became a commissioned officer February 1989. Most of my patrol career I have been assigned to the midnight shift at the East and Central precincts. I have also worked in Vice as an undercover decoy, rode with the Mounted Patrol and conducted background investigations on police applicants. Currently I am assigned to the Training Academy as a recruiter for the Memphis Police Department. On January 10^th, 2003 I was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Who knows where I will go from here, but I’m sure it will be exciting and full of challenges. The Memphis Police Department has been a very rewarding career. It has allowed me to serve my community and support my family. I am proud to be able to make a difference. Sgt. Terrie LeBlanc and Officer Michael Banks of the Recruit Team.
Sgt. Billie Rochevot - (Retired) I joined the Memphis Police Dept. on 2-3-69, as a civilian employee (clerk typist) in the Recording Center. I later transferred to the women's jail as a Matron. At that time, female police officers only worked in the Vice and Juvenile Squads. In 1972, another Matron (Freeda Bowers) and I were sent through a Reserve Class, the first co-ed class through our academy. The classes lasted 6 months and were held at night. We had to go on our own time, unless the class period was during our regular tour of duty. While we were attending classes with a Reserve group, the Department decided to have a co-ed class for "regular" officers. Several women were hired, but only a few of them were able to complete the training. Upon graduation from the Academy in July 1972, we were commissioned and returned to the jail with a title change from Matron to Police Officer. When the "regular" class graduated from the academy, the Department placed 5 female officers in the Uniform Patrol Division, I was among them. In 1973, another female officer (Claudine Penn) and I fought for maternity leave for female officers. As a result, our Department now has a maternity leave policy for its female officers. I retired after 25 years at the rank of Sergeant. During my career with the police department I have worked in: Uniform Patrol, Sex Crimes, Vice, General Investigation, and Internal Affairs. I am currently employed as a background investigator at our Training Academy, where I have been for the past 6 years. Essica Littlejohn - Patrol Officer Growing up in Memphis, being a police officer was probably last on my career choices list. But after graduating high school with a then two-year-old son, I needed a plan. After speaking with a police officer, I discovered that I could get a job (which I needed) and at the same time get an education. I applied for the PST position, and in September 1997, began my career with the Memphis Police Department. I completed the fifty-four hour requirement in less than 2 years and completed recruit training in June 2000. As a probationary officer, I was assigned to the South precinct’s day shift. I also spent 1 year on the midnight shift before being temporarily assigned to Westwood Co-Act, where I am currently. The Memphis Police Dept has been a tremendous benefit to my life and my everyday way of living. Working in Co-Act has given me the opportunity to work closely with at-risk youth in an effort to make a difference or at least reach out to a child that would otherwise have no one. I have also been given the opportunity to continue my college education, and in May 2003, will graduate from Christian Brothers University with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology. So as you may see, being a police officer means a great deal to me. I take pride in saying that I am one of “Memphis’ Finest”. Here I am, 5 years later, never regretting the decision to join the Memphis Police Department.

Now Hiring! For more information call the Recruiting Office at 901-357-1700 or email one of our Recruiters: Officer Blake or Officer Gonzalez


© Copyright Memphis Police Department. All Rights Reserved. SITE HOSTED BY LUNAWEB www.memphispolice.org Web designer/manager: Major S. K. Lowe Last updated on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 02:25 PM.