The Suffolk Police Department enthusiastically promotes the hiring and advancement of women within their agency. Women are considered a valuable asset in the field of law enforcement, and their value is demonstrated in their various capacities at the Suffolk Police Department. From Uniform Patrol to our highest ranks, women have made their presence known. Please enjoy the brief biographies on some of our female officers below.

Captain Stephanie Burch

Captain Stephanie Burch joined the Department in 1992. She served in Uniform Patrol until 1994, when she was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Unit, where she primarily investigated crimes involving youth and sexually based offenses. She remained in Criminal Investigations until her promotion to Sergeant in 1997, one of the first two female sergeants to be promoted in the history of the Department.

She served as a Uniform Patrol Sergeant until 1998, and then was transferred to the Administrative Section to work on the Department's accreditation initiative. In 1999, she was promoted to Lieutenant and remained in Administration, as commanding officer for Communications, Central Records and Training. In 2001, she was transferred back to Uniform Patrol and was then promoted to Captain. She holds a B. S. Degree in Sociology from Virginia Tech and a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management. She currently serves as the Precinct Commander for Sector I. She is married and has two children.

Lieutenant Debbie George

Lt. Debbie George joined the department in 1986. She was hired as a dispatcher and worked in that position until she became a sworn member of the department in 1987. She worked in Uniform Patrol for five years and was transferred to the Detective Bureau in 1992. Lt. George worked as a detective until she was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1997, one of the first two female sergeants to be promoted in the history of the Department.

Lieutenant George worked as a uniform sergeant in both the administrative and patrol sections until she was promoted to lieutenant in 2001. In May of 2002, Lieutenant George was transferred to her current position as lieutenant of the Criminal Investigations Section. Her current areas of responsibility include the Detective Bureau, Special Investigations, Forensics Unit, Crime Line and Public Information. Lt George is married with two children.

Lieutenant Janet Brandsasse

Lieutenant Janet Brandsasse joined the Suffolk Police Department in September 1995. She worked in uniform patrol and obtained numerous certifications as an Accident Reconstructionist, Crime Scene Technician and Breathalyzer Operator. She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in May 2002 and currently serves as first line supervisor on the Sector II Midnight Shift.

Lieutenant Brandsasse has 63 credits toward her BA degree in Criminal Justice. She is married to Lt. Gerald Brandsasse who also serves on the Suffolk Police Department. She has served in the United States Navy for 17 1/2 years, 10 of which were active duty. She is currently a naval reservist stationed at Little Creek Amphibious Base, where she is the Executive Officer of a 43 personnel Unit. She was recently selected to receive a commission to Limited Duty Officer at the rank of Ensign. She would say to any woman interested in a career in law enforcement that, "While this is a male dominated field, female officers can and do make a difference. The Law Enforcement field needs dedicated and hardworking females to assist in the success of the Suffolk Police Department."

Detective Joyce Williams

Detective Joyce Williams was born and raised in Suffolk and always wanted to be a Suffolk Police Officer. She obtained that goal on November 1, 1981 and served for 7 years in uniform patrol as a Field Training Officer and fatality investigator. She was also a member of the first uniformed honor guard for the department. She was transferred to the Detective Bureau in 1989 and has served as the Team Leader for the Family Service Unit specializing in Sexual Assault of adults and children, Domestic Violence, Child Physical Abuse and missing persons/runaways supervising three detectives.

Detective Williams has attended numerous schools over the years including Child Fatality and Serious Injuries Investigations, Missing Children investigations, Community Policing, Caliber Press Street Survival School, Domestic Violence Training, Homicide Investigation, Crime Scene Photography and Evidence Handling, Computer Child Pornography, various investigative schools and numerous seminars on Child Abuse. She also has served as Vice President of the Suffolk Police Officers' Association, Local 5022.

Detective Williams was selected as Officer of the Quarter in September 1992 and have received several departmental accommodations. On November 15, 2003, she was promoted to Master Police Officer and is currently assigned as a general assignment Detective in Criminal Investigations, where she is the senior detective and serves as the acting supervisor when her sergeant is absent. She has served proudly for 23 years as a member of the Suffolk Police family.

Sergeant Dana Coleman

Sergeant Dana Coleman joined the Suffolk Police Department in 1992. She served for 2 years in Uniform Patrol before being transferred to the Special Investigations Section, responsible for the investigation of narcotics and vice related offenses. She then transferred to the Criminal Investigative Division in May 1996 and worked in that capacity until March 1998. She worked as a School Resource Officer from 1998 to June 2000, and finally worked in the Community Services Unit until April 2001. She has obtained numerous certifications to include Radar Operator, Open Water Diver, Police Mountain Bike, General Instructor, Rescue Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Public Safety Night Diver and Firearms Instructor.

Sergeant Coleman is a member of the Department's Dive Team, as well as serving as a General and Firearms instructor, and is the only female member of the Department's Critical Incident Response Team. Dana has one child.