Sergeant Janine Mauldin

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

Working in a small, isolated community such as Nantucket, you are more likely to see the difference you make in the community with your work. You make relationships with people that you probably normally wouldn’t if I were to work in a larger community and in turn want to literally “serve and protect”. We live here too and want the best for the island.

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

It can be difficult at times working in a male-dominated profession. When I first started on the job, I felt like I had to prove that I could keep up with my male cohorts. Whether it was being more productive or being less sensitive to things, those were ways to prove that you can hang and “be one of the guys”.

When I first started, a female sergeant here was tough on everyone, but was tougher on the female officers. She was the first female to make it to sergeant and felt she paved the way for other female officers. Her toughness came with the intention to make us better and to continue the road she created for females working here today. With each new female officer on the department, it gets a little easier for us to be seen as equals to our male co-workers.

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

There are definitely times when being a female doesn’t benefit you. In certain cultures, some men don’t acknowledge women - especially ones with authority. Sometimes as a female officer, you learn to take a step back and let your male partner take the lead in order to service the call. Other times, that womanly/motherly presence is what is helpful in a situation. Many times people tell me they are glad to see a female officer. Making a person more comfortable during a tough situation is sometimes what is needed in this line of work.

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

Honestly, it’s almost a shock to have eight females on the department. I thought four was a lot at one time, but it’s nice to have such a diverse group of females. Each of us brings our own personality and niche to the profession, which shows in all the different positions we hold in the department.

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

We are all doing our own thing at times and don’t have an opportunity for all of us to see each other on a consistent basis, but there is a silent bond. I don’t want to get into specifics, but there have been times if one of us needed something, we would look out for our sister.