Carol Powell had never given any thought to becoming a cop. There were no police officers in her family – no proud tradition to serve and protect.

In 1984, she was a lifeguard and swimming instructor thinking about becoming a teacher.

One night she was sitting on the couch watching the cop drama Cagney and Lacey.

“I can do that!” she thought.

The next morning, without telling anyone, she clambered onto her Honda C70 Passport scooter, with its white basket perched in front, and putted her way down to the Vancouver Police Department.

Hiding her “ride” in the alley behind the station, safely out of the view of motorcycle cops, she went inside and got herself a job.

Twenty-five years later, Powell is now the first female promoted to rank of inspector at the Abbotsford Police Department.

A quarter century as a police officer has not dulled her enthusiasm for the job.

“I still look at my new [business] cards and think, ‘You’re kidding me. This is so cool!’” Powell said.

“I think it’s the best job in the world, and I appreciate being given the opportunity.”

Part of the appeal of her policing career has been the variety of work she’s had the opportunity to perform.

Powell has worked on the front lines as a patrol sergeant, in the office as an administrative coordinator, and with kids as a community police officer.

Her first job with the VPD was as a wagon driver, which may not sound appealing, but ended up being a source of romance.

One night, a couple of other officers threw a real hothead into the back of the truck without giving her any warning.

“I had to unload him by myself, and this guy is ready to kill me.”

She searched out one of the officers, Mike, to give him an earful. She ended up marrying him two years later.

Powell then went on to be one the first women to walk a beat in Vancouver’s infamous Downtown Eastside.

For a young woman who grew up in the quiet community of Aldergrove, it was an eye-opening experience.

“I was thrown into a different world. The drugs, alcohol and sex trade ... it was shocking.”

However, she went on to master the finer points of dealing with people on a face-to-face basis.

“I also learned to be empathetic and understanding of the situations people find themselves in.”

After serving in Vancouver for five years, Powell and her husband decided to move back to the Fraser Valley, and the pair joined the Abbotsford Police Department.

When she joined the force, she was its second female officer.

Now as inspector in charge of patrol and communications, she oversees four officer shifts, which include 18 female members.

There are more female officers spread throughout the department.

Powell takes pleasure in the fact that she illustrates the opportunities available to women who choose a career in policing.

She’s proud to be APD’s first female inspector, and believes she has the job because she has the skills to do it.

“I don’t think I got the job because I’m female. I like to think it’s recognition of the work I’ve done in my career.”

Powell says she has never had any trouble fitting into what is generally a male-dominated profession.

“I don’t know if everyone is as fortunate to have the [easy] integration I did,” she said.

Early in Powell’s career, a superior officer told her to never forget she was a woman first.

“I have never tried to represent as a macho guy.”

In contrast, she feels some of her typically feminine traits and experiences have made her a good officer.

She has dealt with the stress of trying to be the best mom and best cop she can, and overcame a bout of postpartum depression following the birth of her youngest son.

“I’m really proud I got through that. I’ve used [what I learned] to help so many other people on and off the job.”

Her compassion, insight, and empathy have been useful in dealing with people in crisis in all sorts of situations.

Powell, previous to becoming inspector, was a negotiator with the Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team (MIERT).

She has persuaded criminals to surrender, mediated domestic disputes and calmed despondent young women perched on ledges of buildings.

Her new job has her performing more administrative duties, dealing with personnel issues, developing crime strategies and overseeing budgets.

She’s also on a “kajillion” committees.

Powell is eager to hone her old skills and develop new ones, but she concedes she’ll miss the excitement of being on the front lines of policing.

“There’s nothing better in the summer than having all the windows down and going from call to call.”

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