In 1961, female police officers represented roughly 2% of all police officers nationwide. This is the year that Roseville Police Officer Audrey Trudeau Sutherland was promoted to the position of “Policewoman.”
Officer Sutherland started her career as a Police Clerk in 1957. At this time, the Roseville Police Department consisted of 8 part-time officers and the headquarters was located in a Roseville basement. Sadly, retired Officer Trudeau passed in 2021 at the age of 91.
Officer Sutherland was the department’s first female officer and undoubtedly paved the way for future generations of female officers in Roseville. She retired after serving Roseville for 28 years and is remembered as someone who served with compassion. Since then, the Roseville Police Department has had two female Chiefs of Police.
“Roseville Police has a history of valuing the contribution from women in public safety for over 60 years,” says Chief Erika Scheider. “We purposefully recruit female officers to join our team.” Chief Scheider is the second female Chief of Police to serve the Roseville Community with Chief Carol Sletner serving as Chief from 2002 – 2009.
The City of Roseville Police Department is well on pace to meet the “30 x 30” initiative which aims for 30% representation of female officers and a 30% representation of leadership roles by females in the profession by the year 2030 (30x30initiative.org). “Our message is clear,” says Chief Scheider, “we warmly welcome and support women in law enforcement at Roseville PD.”