CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Several women of color within the Camden County Police Department are breaking the glass ceiling with historic promotions.
Tracy Seigel has been a Camden police officer for 22 years. She was recently promoted to lieutenant.
Seigel said being on the force has helped her make leaps and bounds in her personal life.
“I come from initially being on welfare with kids, and I just that think if I can do it, anybody, anybody can do it,” she said.
Four other women were promoted in the department. Madrid Matthews and Ella Roberts were promoted to lieutenants. Janell Simpson is the first Latina captain in Camden City’s history, and Vivian Cooley is the metro’s first African-American captain.
Seigel said these promotions are critical in helping them connect with the community.
“It’s extremely important so younger generations that look like me can see where they can be if they put their best foot forward and stay out of trouble,” she said.
Like all of the other women, Cooley has spent more than 20 years on the job.
“I just enjoy my career,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful experience. It’s amazing. It’s an amazing feeling. I never thought when I started here I would see myself as a captain.”