This Women’s History Month, we’re proud to spotlight the women of this year’s Northern Essex Community College Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) cohort. These future officers who are not only preparing to serve communities across the Merrimack Valley and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but who are actively reshaping what policing looks and feels like from the inside out.

For many of these students, the decision to pursue law enforcement is deeply personal. Student officer Maria Dohopiaty, who emigrated from Brazil and speaks English as a second language, said policing is about service in its most direct form.

“Having English as my second language made me think I could help people who maybe need help but don’t speak English,” she said. With a background in sociology, Dohopiaty often found herself asking, “How useful am I to my community?” Through the academy, she adds, “I learned so much about myself.”

For student officer Myo Theingi, the path became clear through experience. “I fell in love with the process,” she shared. “I like what I’ve been taught. That’s why I came back. I like the work—it’s a calling. It’s not just work or just a job.”

Back row: (L to R) Student Officers Rebecca Saarinen, Victoria Ohlson, Isabella Ricciardi, Myo Theingi, Taylor Girouard, Kathryn O’Donnell, Alejandra Medina Front Row: (L to R) Student Officers Alexa Carvalho, Shelbi Wilson, Jordan Manning, Maria Dohopiaty, Celia Carl

That sense of calling is echoed across the cohort. But what makes this group especially powerful isn’t just individual motivation—it’s collective strength.

For some, law enforcement runs in the family. But this generation of women isn’t simply continuing a legacy—they’re reframing it. Many grew up surrounded by male relatives in policing. “It’s kind of like, if they can do it, we can do it”, shared student officer Isabella Ricciardi.

These women are proving to themselves, to their families, and to the next generation, that ability is not defined by gender, height, or outdated expectations.

From day one, academy life is immersive. Student officer Kathryn O’Donnell remembers the abrupt transition. “Coming back from day one, there’s never a chance to be like, ‘Hi, I’m Kate.’ You are throwing yourself into it,” she said. “You just figure it out together. And most importantly, you stick together.”

That solidarity didn’t happen by accident. “There are different backgrounds here—there’s 12 of us. We’re not all going to get along,” Theingi explained. “We don’t always see eye to eye, but it’s important to address that. Because if you don’t have each other’s back, then… who will?”

Student officer Shelbi Wilson sees communication as a strength women uniquely bring to the profession. “Our willingness to talk to each other and communicate—that’s such a huge part of policing. We work together versus working against each other.”

In a profession often associated with toughness, these women are reframing what strength looks like. For them, it’s collaboration. It’s emotional intelligence. It’s accountability.

And sometimes, it’s simply surviving the uniform. “It’s tough,” Wilson admitted. “We’re wearing clothes that are made for men. It’s hard to strip yourself of everything that makes you feel like a woman. We’re still women without our nails and hair and clothes. We redefined what femininity is to us together.”

Dohopiaty added another layer of reality many women quietly carry. “The first week, I had so much gel in my hair,” she said, laughing. “I have curly hair, so trust me, it takes a while to get to this bun.”

“We are always adapting, every single day as a female in this field”, Dohopiaty stated.

For these students, seeing women in uniform isn’t just symbolic—it’s necessary. Student officer Jordan Manning notes that it still feels rare to see another female in the field.

“The only time I remember seeing a female officer was at a funeral. I was like, ‘Oh my God, there’s a woman—thank God.’”

When asked whether the added challenges of womanhood make the work harder—or strengthen their commitment—the response was unanimous:

“Strengthen.”

“Once you get over the ‘I have to get up ten minutes earlier to do my hair than the boys do,’” another said, “it makes you so much stronger.”

There is laughter when the conversation turns to improvements.

“Uniforms,” Wilson says immediately. “Please get better. Even the ‘women’s versions’ don’t fit right.”

But beyond tailoring and tactical gear, their hopes run deeper: more female instructors, more visible leadership, more acknowledgment of the realities women face on the job. Most of all, they hope the profession continues evolving toward collaboration, empathy, and community-centered service.

They are multilingual. They are first-generation. They are daughters, cousins, competitors, caretakers, and leaders. They are redefining strength in real time.

As they gather in their locker room each morning—refreshing, regrouping, reminding each other who they are—they are building something that extends far beyond academy walls. They are building a future of policing that looks more and more like the communities it serves.

About the Municipal Police Training Committee:

The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) develops and delivers world-class training across the Commonwealth to more than 20,000 officers at every stage of their careers, ranging from basic training for new officers to mandatory and specialized professional development training. An agency within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), MPTC is responsible for the statewide standardization of police training, delivering a modernized training program that aligns with national best practices, public expectations, and legislative mandates put forward by the 2020 police reform law. MPTC operates a network of convenient regional academies and authorizes independent academies that meet the Agency’s standard of excellence.

In addition to municipal officers, MPTC ensures the highest training standards for MBTA Police Officers, Environmental Police Officers, UMass Campus Police Officers, Campus Police Officers, and Deputy Sheriffs performing Police duties and functions.

The MPTC operates Police Academies in Boylston, East Falmouth, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lynnfield, Plymouth, and Randolph. The MPTC also authorizes full-time academies with the Boston Police Academy, Cambridge Police Academy – Northeastern University, Fitchburg State University Police Program, Lowell Police Academy, MBTA Police Academy, Springfield Police Academy, Worcester Police Academy, Quinsigamond Community College, and the MA National Guard Civilian Academy. Learn more here.