Penny Harrington

Chief Penny Harrington, author of "Triumph of Spirit" her autobiography, is the Director of the National Center for Women in Policing, a division of the Feminist Majority Foundation. Penny spent 23 years in the Portland, Oregon Police Bureau where she started in 1964 as a policewoman in the Women's Protective Division. Penny decided to challenge the system and in 1970 became the first woman ever to be transferred out of the Women's Protective Division. In 1972, Penny added two more firsts to her record by becoming the first woman detective and then the first woman sergeant.

Based on her record in the Department and her support from the community, Penny Harrington was named Chief of Police in 1985, making her the first woman to become Chief of a major US City. When Penny became Chief, the City of Portland was faced with serious crime problmes. It ranked 4th in burglary nationwide. Chief Harrington implemented innovative programs that immediately reduced burglary, increased drug arrests, reduced citizen complains against police and reduced overall crime.

After leaving the Portland Police Bureau, Penny became the Assistant Director of Investigations for the State Bar of California. She was with the Bar for seven years training investigators and managing the investigations of complaints against California attorneys. As Director of the National Center for Women and Policing, Penny is working nationally to bring more women into policing and to help women reach the higher levels of command within their agencies.