The women of the Neenah Police Department

NEENAH (NBC 26) — In honor of International Women's Day, we're highlighting some women who make up the Neenah Police Department. Historically, it's the department in Northeast Wisconsin with the most female members on the team, with at least eight at a time, making up 20% of the department.

Each woman has a different story of how they got into police work.

“I had this internal pull that I couldn't completely describe," said Stephanie Gruss, an Investigator.

“I subsequently went on a ride-along with a local police agency, and I just loved it," said Amanda Moe, an Evidence Custodian.

“I've always wanted to be a police officer," said Patrol Lieutenant Kathyrn Voelker. "When I was little, I told my mom, I can remember back as far as third grade telling her I was going to be a police officer."

Patrol Lt. Voelker credits her journey rising through the ranks to the female role models in her life.

"I was lucky enough to get on the SWAT team, but that's a rarity to have females in the tactical units,” said Lt. Voelker.

She's not alone.

“I also had some two wonderful female field training officers when I first started out here that were my mentors," said Moe. "I feel like I've been able to help pass on to some of the newer officers.”

The women agree, they bring a different perspective and feel to the force, and to the community.

“We bring more empathy," said Lt. Voelker. "I think at times, women tend to gravitate toward female police officers because we'll probably be more sensitive maybe to them."

She uses the example of a bar fight, saying women on the force won't go in and try to overpower people, instead, taking a different angle and trying to diffuse it.

“I think, too, we're able to take on the image of whatever is needed by the victim, whether it's a wife, a mother, a child,” said Gruss.

But the hard work doesn't come without social hardships.

“There's been some cases where, when I've gone on a call...where you deal with the older generation that, you know, still has those beliefs or traditions where they will speak with the male officer versus the female officer,” said Moe.

“There's times where we've had two or three women show up to a call at the same time, and it stops people, and they turn their heads,” said Lt. Voelker.

But their work doesn't go unnoticed, and to the other young women who may want to go into police work, Gruss shares this advice:

“If this is something that you're driven to if you keep coming back to it, don't let it frighten you. If it's what's gonna make you happy, then do that."