Officer Angela Paterson

What is the best part about being a police officer on Nantucket?

The best part of being a police officer on Nantucket is working in a close knit community. At first I thought it would be difficult working on Nantucket after growing up here. But it’s refreshing to see the amount of support you receive from the community. I love being able to contribute at work, but off duty as well with coaching basketball.

What is it like to be a female in a traditionally male-dominated profession?

It was intimidating at first, I felt like I had something to prove that I could fit in and do the job. That feeling quickly faded during my field training process because the males in the department did not treat me differently. I feel like an equal.

Are there ways in which the public interacts with you as a female police officer differently than your male counterparts?

I personally have not experienced a situation where I felt I was being treated differently.

Has it been gratifying or rewarding to see the number of female officers at NPD continue to grow over the years?

I am new to the department, but it is really amazing how many females work for NPD. I believe it sets a great example for the younger generation to see females in a male-dominated profession, it shows to not let stere-types determine who you want to be.

How do the female police officers of NPD rely on each other as individuals and as a group within the department?

I have felt safe relying on everyone at the department, male or female especially being new; it’s nice to have a wide range of officers with different experiences to learn from.