Officer Cassie Thompson

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

Working on the island as an officer has its pros and cons. I love living in a small community with that hometown feel and raising my children here but there are downsides to the small town. Often officers see people they may have arrested or dealt with in some way while on the job and that can be tricky while out with your family enjoying a day off. It’s the “everybody knows everybody” kind of experience here sometimes.

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

Honestly I mostly don’t notice it. I like to think that our male colleagues just think of us as a police officer first and then a female.

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

I don’t think my male colleagues are called “honey” or “sweetheart”. Not sure many have received marriage proposals either. But those interactions are few. Mostly the public is kind and respectful. I’ve had parents thank me for being such a great role mode for their daughters.

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

I think it it great to have so many female officers. We all have strengths and weaknesses that help even out the department. We all bring something different to the lines/shifts we work with and I believe having female officers not only benefits the department but the town as a whole.

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

We as a whole (females) can always count on each other to lift each other up and be our biggest cheerleaders. There are already so many people/factors that want to tear down women (not only in policing but in general) and we, as woman, should be lifting each other up. I think the women of NPD do that. Our banter yesterday during the photo shoot gave you a glimpse into our little “club” and having the ability to surround yourself with likeminded, career driven, confident women is a privilege.