Women in Uniform

   The majority of men will easily notice a shapely, trendy and glamorous woman, but as soon as she changes her outfit into something less feminine like a police uniform, that man’s attention will more than likely drop dramatically. Any explanation why?
  
   My masculine guess to this predictable behaviour is the animal instinct in men that rings a bell whenever a female’s body is more visually defined.

   Call me an odd ball, but women in uniform have always turned my head to take a second look. Not for sexual reasons but simply out of admiration and respect for what they do and the authority they represent. From transit operators, emergency and security staff, firefighters, police officers and military personnel, these remarkable women in uniform never cease to amaze me.
   Hollywood made a resounding statement about women in uniform when the movie GI Jane hit the screen in 1997. Although the story and the character were just fictional and a bit overly dramatized, the message was clear _ women have made their marks in territories that were once fully dominated by males.

   I must have watched GI Jane at least twice. I was so captivated by the character’s values and her pure determination in proving herself in a man’s world. I never imagined that one day I would come face to face with a real Jane. Not GI Jane but Super Jane, the highest ranking female police officer in the Toronto Police today.

   In her fully emblazoned white long-sleeved uniform, Staff Superintendent Jane Wilcox embodies the image of a true professional leader. The impressive list of achievements, fuelled by hard work and dedication in a 25-year career with the Toronto Police is what put her where she is now _ in command of eight police stations (22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43 Divisions) that cover Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough.

   Super Jane Wilcox’s outstanding accomplishments began on the day she left her home in Vancouver to pursue her dream in the Toronto Police. That was 25 years ago. She was a young ambitious woman, ready to take on the challenge placed before her. Now she looks back at those formative years candidly. “As a woman, it never occurred to me that there would be difficulties other than my hope that I could do as many push-ups as my fellow male officers,” laughs Wilcox across her desk in her office at Toronto Police Headquarters on 40 College Street.

   Wilcox points out that there are some advantages in being a woman, "For one thing, it takes a woman to be an undercover police officer posing as a street prostitute." She also remembers one incident many years ago when she used her instinct to single-handedly defuse the violent tendencies of an intoxicated big man who was causing disturbance inside a bank. Without using force, the intimidating man who threatened to beat her up just melted like a little boy in tantrum. All she did was do what a woman does best _ talk!

   The natural skill earned her instant fame and jokes from her fellow police officers. She became the “love interest” of every intoxicated man that she had arrested and brought into 51 Division. The thought of all the alcohol-induced marriage proposals she received from those men still makes her laugh. Wilcox is now married and living happily with a fellow police officer who totally supports and understands her very demanding career.

   At home with her family, she is more relaxed but when in police uniform, Wilcox describes herself as a hardworking woman, energized by fabulous people in the Police Force. She likes to organize and lead community safety. She enjoys meeting and working with normal people. "Normal people as regular people who are not police officers and people that I have not arrested," Wilcox explains with a smile. When asked about the delicate situation of balancing the law and her emotions, Wilcox is direct and concise with her response, "First and foremost, victims and their families must be supported and helped in regaining balance and control. The rules of laws and evidence are crafted to high standard to value individual rights in our Canadian society. It is really critical to make sure that people are safe and their rights are respected in accordance with the law."

   To all women out there who are considering police work, Super Jane's words speak highly of Toronto's finest. "It is an amazing job. It is an honourable position and a great calling. Toronto Police Force offers great opportunities to try different things and to prove your talents."

   Wilcox abides by all of the values that her uniform represents _ upholding the law without prejudice in serving and protecting the community. "When you look the part, you will be the part," is her personal statement that resonates the famous police slogan: 'To Serve and Protect.'