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Show 4A Lakeside Review South, Wednesday, Jan, 11, 1984 Job Requirements Same Women Wearing Badges They're in the majnstream of our office, he said. Our female BARRY KAWA Review Staff deputies have been in every conceivable job, like enforcing the jail and patrol. There could be a time when the size of a male, could be an advantage but we A flashing FARMINGTON mirror red light in his signals the driver to pull over. Upset and annoyed at himself for speeding, the driver is in no mood to be polite to the approaching officer. , Rolling down his window, he is greeted by a feminine voice. rear-vie- w May I see your license, havent found that yet. asks a female deputy of the Davis County sheriffs office. And, said Deputy Gayle Smith, the surprised driver is almost always courteous and polite to her as she writes out a traffic citation. Theyre angry at being stopped, but when you walk up and they realize youre a female, their facial expression shows even more anger," she said. But, at the same time, theyre probably more polite to you than they would be to a male deputy. Female law enforcement officers in Davis County continue to elicit surprise and curiosity from the public Heads are still turned at the sight of a woman patroling county roads in a sheriffs department car. And prisoners are often surprised when a woman arrives to take them to the county jail. The Davis County Sheriffs Department hired its first female officer in 1978. Today, the department has five women working in all areas of law enforcement including patrol and jail work. Two female reserve deputies also donate a minimum of 16 hours a month to the department. All are treated the same as, their male counterparts and expected to handle their share of the workload. The first step in becoming a Davis County law enforcement officer is to be tested and selected for 400 hours of state police academy training. Davis County Sheriff Brant Johnson said a strict merit system grades applicants who are hired on the basis of their scores. The women have just risen to the top," he said. So theyve been there and we picked them up. Most applicants have some previous emergency medical technician (EMT) training from hospitals or college classes in law enforcement. A special county program allows a volunteer to take 2Q0 hours of training and become a reserve officer in the sheriffs department. Deputies are trained in areas such as the use of deadly force, pursuit tactics, lifesaving techniques and testifying in court. The Davis County Sheriffs Department equips deputies with the optional .337 or .43 caliber I think the male officers for the most part feel a little leery of female officers because they feel like they have to protect them," said Smith, especially in this state. They feel like they have to open doors for them and if it gets in a life or death situation, they dont want to have to worry about their partner. Smith worked at Humana Hospital in public relations and g paraparticipated in a medic program offered there. She then joined the sheriffs department reserve program apd e was offered a job in October. She said some women may go into law enforcement because they want to prove theyre better than men. But she said none of the female deputies in the sheriffs department are that way, although a few male officers ' appear to be still a little skeptical of them. Kim Tauss is a former professional musician who became one of Davis Countys first female law enforcement officers a few years ago. She works as a bailiff in juvenile court, serves warrants of arrest and transports prisoners. Tauss said the job of a law enforcement officer is one shes always wanted. I always put it off because I thought youre a woman and youll never make it as a police officer. she recalled. But the opportunity came up and I went ahead and took that chance. Ive been thankful ever since. , sidearms. Of the two sizes of .357s available, most female deputies in the county choose to carry the lighter Model 19. Those wanting the more expensive .45 must buy their own weapon. As for the female deputies in his department, Johnson said there are no noticeable differences in their performance of duties as compared to a male ride-alon- full-tim- ' Tauss said the views on the role of females have changed over the last 15 years and it is now possible for young girls to consider becoming a law en- forcement officers. Deputy Cathy Scott is a small blonde at 54 and about 110 pounds. She said while deputies patrol alone, they always call for back-u- p help if the situation appears to warrant it. lice officer that it really threw them, she laughed. Now I hold understand, she said. You get off telling for as long as I can. into a situation where you think Scott agrees that men can be theres going to be a physical al- intimidated by her job and othtercation and you call for a ers just dont like the idea of back-uMale oficers always dating a female law enforcement have a back-u- p too. officer. Scott handles traffic and public Smith has two daughters who service calls on an average were excited the first time she shift of patrol. She said her drove a car home. But most unusual experience in law now, shespatrol my mom, the just enforcement was serving a warcop to them as they introduce rant on an individual and hav- her to their friends. ing him phone her later and ask Tauss said the job is much for a date. Spoiling a possible romore rewarding than being a mance, she said no. and Other county female deputies professional childhood her meets expectaare jailer Maureen Whaler and ' civil division officer Pat Bird. tions. . I felt as a musician I wasnt Reserve officers are Susan Koehn and Susie Volk. As for contributing to society, she the social life of female deputies, said. But as a police officer, I Tauss says she is reluctant to tell really feel that Im helping peomost guys what she does for a ple and doing something about crime and problems in the world living. , I found when they asked me today. When I patrol, I feel Im what I did and I said I was a po there if people ned me." Thats something people dont p. 12-ho- ur flute-play- . , er , . , PAT BIRD, one of the female officers in Davis County knows that shes expected to do just what the male officers do, including paper shuffling, t BAIR of the Davis County Sheriff Department gives a inmate at the county jail a drink of water. SANDRA Etc a quastGJ to thsca thorcs no bug intha plceo. A quiet street, late at night. And the Gilstraps are visiting in Peoria. That makes it a perfect set-u- for Joe, your basic crook.. Bad news for Joe. This neighborhood has a Neighborhood Watch. So the cops are gonna nail p - that crook. Start a Neighborhood Watch Its working hard for the Gilstraps. Itll work for you too. Contact your local police or sheriff, or write to: McGruff, Box C300, Roclrvilla, Maryland 80380. You can help. - TAIIE ft DITE OUT OF nr MoOrulT -- JU The Orune Dog 1981 The Advertising Council, Inc. A message from L the Crime Prevention Coalition and the Ad Council. .v Photos By Rodney Wright BOOTH SPACE IS AVAILABLE IN THE FIRST ANNUAL Lakeside Review HOME & GARDEN SHOW AT THE DEAUTIFUL M IAYTON MILLS WALL MARCH 7, 8, 9 and 10 IF YOU HAVE A SERVICE THAT WOULD BE OR PRODUCT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS SHOW. PLEASE PHONE 776-495- 1 or 298-891- G Hurry for Best Bceth Selection As Specs is Filling Quickly |