An Army of One: Lone Woman Officer on Campus Police Receives MAWLE Nod
SALEM, MASS – The Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement has named Salem State University Police Sgt. Christine DeFelice as the recipient of a “Spirit of MAWLE” award.
DeFelice, a 25-year veteran of the campus police force and the only officer in the department who is a woman, was recognized for the honor on the nomination of Deputy Chief Richard Riggs. She received a special recognition from the organization at a Spirit of MAWLE Award Ceremony held in Canton, Mass. on Thursday, June 20.
The Spirit of MAWLE award celebrates officers who exhibit excellence in performance, leadership, mentoring, courage, and other criteria.
“She has also helped other nearby police agencies and school districts with security matters,” Riggs’ nomination reads. “Sgt. DeFelice continues to be a liaison with the agency operating the emergency homeless shelters on campus ensuring community members have proper access to the police and other governmental and non-governmental organizations.”
DeFelice first came to campus as a patrol officer in March of 1999, and she earned a promotion to sergeant in 2009. She holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice and is a graduate of both reserve and full-time police academies.
“Sgt. DeFelice has investigated and managed numerous criminal investigations, crime scenes, critical incidents, and special events during her tenure as a frontline supervisor, directing patrol officers, security officers, and dispatchers accordingly,” Riggs wrote in his nomination. “In addition to her law enforcement credentials with the university, Sgt. DeFelice has been certified by the Massachusetts State Police as a special state police officer and the City of Salem as a special municipal police officer and commissioned as a deputy sheriff with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.”
DeFelice said she was shocked to receive the honor, “because I feel like we’re all a team here and work together.”
While she may be the only female officer on patrol, she noted the support of other women on staff back at the station, including several dispatchers and the department’s newly hired chief, Trish Murphy (Salem State class of 2006).
When asked if she had advice for current criminal justice majors in the academic world, DeFelice pushed students to not let the appearance of a male-dominated profession get in the way of their dreams.
“No matter who tells them they can’t do it,” DeFelice said, “if they want to do it, they should go ahead and do it.”
Marie Cleary, president of MAWLE and a lieutenant in the Wellesley Police Department, said, “it’s apparent that Sgt. DeFelice is an integral part of the fabric of the Salem State community.”
“It is clear that she cares about the university’s population, and she has started programs to help ensure the safety of the students and community members,” Cleary said. “The Spirit of MAWLE awards were created to celebrate female officers like Sergeant DeFelice and their dedication to making a difference in the lives of those they serve.”
About Salem State University
Known as the Commonwealth’s civic engagement university, Salem State University, established in 1854, is a comprehensive, public institution of higher learning located approximately 15 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. One of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth, Salem State enrolls about 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers 32 undergraduate programs and graduate programs that offer degrees in 24 fields. The university also has a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs. Salem State proudly participates in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement and has shown a student voting rate above the national average, earning it a Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. In 2020, Salem State received Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The university is designated a Best for Vets College by Military Times.
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