Wichita Police Department celebrates National Women’s Policing Day

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Sunday, Sept. 12 is National Women in Policing Day, which marks a special day for women in the Wichita Police Force. The Wichita Police Department says that for the first time, an all-woman shift patrolled Sunday morning at its west substation.

This is just a small amount of officers that are working today, WPD officer Lorie Kimrey said. “So, you know, we could probably cover all four bureaus if we wanted to.”

Zora Graves, a former WPD patrol officer, and former WPD detective Kathy Dye both believe acceptance of women in policing has improved since they were in the department.

“The climate has changed - It’s wonderful,” said Graves. a patrol officer from 1974-94 and the first Black woman to retire from the department.

September 12th is meant to honor the women who chose the path to become police officers. It is National Police Woman...
Posted by Wichita Police Department on Sunday, September 12, 2021

Graves and Dye handed out yellow and red roses to officers, and each said they were proud of how many women are protecting the community.

“We love it. Never saw it before in our careers at all. It’s wonderful,” Graves said.

National Women in Policing Day is special for past women officers and those currently serving in Wichita, who say they’re grateful for those who came before them.

“They had to go through all the trials and tribulations of women in a male-dominated field,” Kimrey said. ‘We really appreciate them for paving the way for us to have this job today.”