CJR: How do women react or treat you differently?
VanAllen-Hommel: Some women … kind of have to feel it out first before they form their opinion of me. Some of them used to think I was a bitch until we became better friends. And then once we started talking and hanging out, that completely changed.
CJR: What would you want people to know about you that they might not now?
I want to say, don’t judge a book by its cover. First appearance is not always what you get. Because I could shoot some dagger looks at people when I first meet them.
KPD Sgt. Donna Wachtel: Respectful, objective, ethical
Wachtel has been married to a state trooper for 16 years and has four children and four grandchildren. She has worked for the Kingston Police Department since February 2004, starting as a midnight patrol officer, switching to the 4-12 shift in 2007 until her promotion to patrol sergeant in 2011. She is said she is honored and privileged to work with an amazing group of men and women maintain high standards when it comes to policing our community and dealing with the public. “Police work is not and never will be a one-person operation,” said Wachtel. “It takes a diverse group of people to make our department successful and I would not want to work anywhere else.”
Donna Wachtel.
Carrie Jones Ross: Why would you say that you are a strong woman?
Donna Wachtel: I believe I am a strong woman because I set a goal and I strive to achieve it. I work hard and I maintain strong ethics.
CJR: How have you managed to be successful in a man’s world?
Wachtel: I manage to be successful because I treat everyone with respect regardless of you they are or where they come from. I came into the law enforcement world knowing I would have to prove myself in a male-dominated profession. I never doubted that I could do it, but I had to show it. I learned quickly that if you act passive you lose control. I had amazing role models and field-training officers who taught me how to be successful and helped form who I am today.
CJR: What are some words you would use to characterize yourself as a “strong woman,” both positive and negative?
Wachtel: Compassionate yet firm, not easily manipulated and very fair. Unfortunately, I am also very controlling, whether it be just driving the car to wanting to handle the situation from beginning to end.
CJR: How do men react to you being a strong woman?
Wachtel: I’ve learned that some men still believe that law enforcement should be strictly a male occupation. I ignore their ignorance and every day put on my uniform knowing that I will be probably one of the first people to back them up on any given call. I do not cower away from any call no matter how minor or major and as a supervisor I will always be the first one in to any situation. With regards to the people that we deal with on the streets, I am proud to say I have earned my respect and am pretty well known.
CJR: How do women react to you being a strong woman?
Wachtel: With respect to both women and men, I try to be objective. An example, when handling domestic complaints most men think I will side with the woman because I am a woman. Not true. I listen to both sides and then try to find the truth in between their stories.
CJR: What would you want people to know about you but they likely don’t?
I try to keep my personal life personal and my professional life professional. Because of the type of work I do, we don’t always deal with the most upstanding citizens. My family comes first and I will always make sure their safety is number one.
