Hannah West of the Jasper Police Department (JPD) embodies the future of policing in America. Studies show female representation in law enforcement across the nation has hovered around 12% for the last 20 years. However, West believes times are changing and that her presence in the JPD will encourage young women to follow in her footsteps.

The 24-year-old from Thach, Alabama, is optimistic about the future of police and community relations as more women wear the badge. As police departments and law enforcement agencies across the nation are trying to hire more women, JPD is ahead of the curve. West credits Jasper Police Department Chief J.C. Poe’s environment of equality that broke many of the cultural barriers other women face when trying to join the force.

78 Magazine recently sat down with Hannah to learn more about her and her job.

78: Why did you join the Jasper Police Department?

HW: As someone who grew up in the Jasper area, I wanted to be able to do my part to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. My entire life, I have always had the utmost respect for law enforcement officers and all that they do. As cliche as it sounds, I want to be a role model and help others. I love the satisfaction that comes from knowing I might have made a difference in someone’s life. I’ve always wanted to be able to give back to my community, all while making a difference. Being out there on the road, helping prevent crime, minimizing the damage from a crime we cannot prevent, making sure that offenders have to face punishment and consequences for their actions, but most importantly, making sure people are not afraid to walk on the streets of their home. I have always felt safe in my community because of police officers, and I want to be able to use my authority to make others feel the same way.

78: Did you know what you wanted to do when you graduated high school?

HW: Oh gosh, what did I not want to be? I started in the Wallace State Community College nursing program after graduating from Carbon Hill School in 2015. I began as a CNA at the nursing home and enjoyed working in health care. I enjoyed giving hands-on care to the patients and residents at the nursing home. But nursing school was a whole different ballgame. I did two semesters and realized it just wasn’t for me. I sort of did my own thing for a while, taking random classes at Bevill. I decided to try my hand at nursing again and did two more semesters. I still couldn’t do it. I decided to pick up some business classes and tried accounting, but my brain just couldn’t keep up with that many numbers. I was working at Planet Fitness during this time, and I just started talking to the policers officers that would come and work out. Those conversations are what got me interested in law enforcement.

78: What is it like being a woman in law enforcement?

HW: From my experience as a female in what is considered a male-dominant field, I have only had positive experiences. Jasper is a very progressive department, and it’s only expanding. Many women face hurdles within their departments, and I’m so thankful that is not part of my story. I haven’t been treated any differently than my male coworkers. Unfortunately, not everyone who calls the police believes women should be in law enforcement, which is a hard pill to swallow. There are times I have to be wary about some things because we are a smaller build compared to the men, but that just makes our training and tactics knowledge that much more crucial.

I will add that women in law enforcement are essential to have. Law enforcement needs women now more than ever. Women play a huge role in this line of work, and we bring so much to the table. There are many calls where people are going through the worst night of their lives, and they wish to speak to someone with the emotional and maternal comfort that women offer. I’m blessed that my department reminds me, along with our other females, that we are worthy of this job and belong in this male-dominated field.

78: What does the badge mean to you?

HW: The police badge symbolizes authority, respect, integrity, and trust. It represents hard work, dedication, and commitment to the communities we serve.

78: How would you encourage young women to join the force?

HW: Appreciating the unique skills that female officers can bring to the job is the first step in welcoming them into a profession where they are underrepresented. You need to assure them that they are valued and are very important to the field. Since joining the force, I have had so many women come to me saying how they wish they could be a police officer or how they ‘wish they had the ability to do so.’ I assure them that if they set their minds to it and put their all into working towards it, they can meet the same goal that I, along with Officer Wolfe and Officer Adams, have accomplished.

78: What does your typical day look like?

HW: A normal day includes patrolling your area and making sure everything is intact. You are checking on local business throughout your beat. Our day also includes making traffic stops, arrests, and answering all the calls in your area. You also provide backup if needed to your fellow officers and other first responders. And do a lot of reports.

78: Any final words?

HW: I want men and women to be encouraged by my story and the stories of other female officers so they can also become police officers. Every police officer has overcome obstacles to get to where they are now, whether it’s going through the academy twice, sustaining injuries while in training, or the small things that seem to get in the way. You can achieve your goals if you put your mind to them. So many people have reservations about getting into law enforcement because of public perceptions of the job. I want to tell everyone that being a police officer isn’t what you see on the news.

I would like to empower more people to come into law enforcement, especially women. We need more women right now than ever. As I’ve said, we need just as many women with a badge as we do men. I hope to recruit more people to join the Jasper City Police Department. We are always taking applications! 78

Interview and Photos by Justin Hunter