CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Growing up, Jeannette Flynn was told that girls couldn’t be police officers. But after 35 years as a member of the Chicago Police Department, Flynn, a lieutenant, turned in her star on Friday.
Joining the department in 1985, Flynn said she was given the same opportunities as her male counterparts in advancing through a series of exams.
But she was met with mixed reactions from her peers when becoming the first woman on the 1st districts tactical team in 1986.
“They weren’t sure they were happy about it. They didn’t feel that women should be on the job yet. Once they saw that I was going to support them and back them up, they were find with it then,” Flynn said.
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She said times have changed from being a 9-year-old girl in the 1960s told by her father’s friend that women couldn’t be police officers. Flynn said she advises perspective female officers to be themselves.
“As women, we have a lot to offer. Our physical abilities are different than men but we have other abilities and it’s important that we are ourselves, we remember who we are,” Flynn said.
Flynn also served her as sergeant and was the last in her class to retire with hopes of returning as a chaplain.