Women in Law Enforcement: Sgt. Elena Correia
By: Tina Shively
Updated: March 19, 2013
March is National Women's History Month and News 8 is teaming up with the Rochester Police Department to spotlight some of its hard-working female officers.
Tina Shively sat down with Sergeant Elena Correia.
As an aide to Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard, Sergeant Elena Correia spends many days running a well-oiled machine.
However, that job is far from her only responsibility.
The 15-year veteran of the force wears many hats, including Commander of RPD's Crisis Negotiation Team.
She explained what it takes for the team to be successful.
"Whether your male or female the demands are same. It doesn't matter if your 4 or 6 feet tall, the key to getting the job done is through communication."
The team tries to bring a safe conclusion to incidents where people intend to do harm to themselves or others.
One of her most memorable cases happened last February, when a man barricaded his four children inside his home.
"When there's little kids involved that tugs at your heart," she said. "We always make sure that we take safety precautions with everything and do our best, and that was successful as well in getting the children out safe and sound."
Family plays a big role in her life.
Sgt Correia is a wife (her husband is an RPD Investigator), and a mother of 4.
Tina Shively asked "How does this compare to being a mom?"
She answered "There's a certain feeling of guilt being a working mom but there's a wonderful feeling that your also a role model for your child and you take the good with the bad and you hope that someday they'll realize why you did it."
Sgt Correia takes that feeling seriously.
She has her sights set on being a Lieutenant, and hopes to inspire the next generation of police women to reach for their dreams.
"I hope I'm a role model to the little girls out there," she said. "Every time I see them I give them a little wave. There's a sparkle in their eye, they say 'I want to be a police officer'. I'll give them my name, I'll tell them to call me if they have any questions, and support them in anyway that I can."
Tina Shively sat down with Sergeant Elena Correia.
As an aide to Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard, Sergeant Elena Correia spends many days running a well-oiled machine.
However, that job is far from her only responsibility.
The 15-year veteran of the force wears many hats, including Commander of RPD's Crisis Negotiation Team.
She explained what it takes for the team to be successful.
"Whether your male or female the demands are same. It doesn't matter if your 4 or 6 feet tall, the key to getting the job done is through communication."
The team tries to bring a safe conclusion to incidents where people intend to do harm to themselves or others.
One of her most memorable cases happened last February, when a man barricaded his four children inside his home.
"When there's little kids involved that tugs at your heart," she said. "We always make sure that we take safety precautions with everything and do our best, and that was successful as well in getting the children out safe and sound."
Family plays a big role in her life.
Sgt Correia is a wife (her husband is an RPD Investigator), and a mother of 4.
Tina Shively asked "How does this compare to being a mom?"
She answered "There's a certain feeling of guilt being a working mom but there's a wonderful feeling that your also a role model for your child and you take the good with the bad and you hope that someday they'll realize why you did it."
Sgt Correia takes that feeling seriously.
She has her sights set on being a Lieutenant, and hopes to inspire the next generation of police women to reach for their dreams.
"I hope I'm a role model to the little girls out there," she said. "Every time I see them I give them a little wave. There's a sparkle in their eye, they say 'I want to be a police officer'. I'll give them my name, I'll tell them to call me if they have any questions, and support them in anyway that I can."
