SEBASTIAN — The crowd that filled the Tiffany Room at Capt. Hiram’s last week, members and friends of the North County Republican Club, was gathered not to discuss politics, said emcee and Club President Ted Pankiewicz, but to honor Sebastian’s Police Chief Michelle Morris, in her 29th year with the SPD, her sixth as Chief.
County Commissioner Joe Flescher expressed the community’s appreciation for “the great umbrella of public safety [Chief Morris] has afforded us,” and several people shared anecdotes reflecting Morris’ care and concern for her community over the years.
In addition to the officers and members of the NCRC, and officers and volunteers of the SPD, others present included: Sheriff Deryl Loar, Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey, Capt. Kevin Martin, Fellsmere Mayor Susan Adams, Clerk of Court Jeff Smith, Tax Collector Carol Jean Jordan, Sebastian Councilman Bob McPartlan, County Commissioner Tim Zorc and Vero Beach Vice-Mayor Jay Kramer.
Morris expressed appreciation for the recognition, then quickly deflected the spotlight from herself to those whom she says are key to her success.
Her family – husband Dane, a sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office, and her sons Dane Jr., 20, and Ryan, 18; her staff and fellow officers and volunteers.
Morris moved to Indian River County from Louisville, Ky., with her family in 1984. As a senior at Vero Beach High School, she considered going into either nursing or law enforcement, ultimately deciding to attend the Police Academy at what was then Indian River Community College.
Graduating the academy in December 1986, the 18-year-old was eager to begin a career in law enforcement.
“But you had to be 19,” she said. “I turned 19 on April 29 and, on May 1, I joined the Sebastian Police Department.”
Morris has served under six police chiefs, working her way up through the ranks as road patrol officer, detective and training officer, achieving promotions to sergeant and then lieutenant.
Becoming Police Chief had not been a part of her original plan.
“I never thought about it. It wasn’t a goal. I always took advantage of continuing education, but just for me. Then Chief Davis put the idea in my head, and helped me work toward it. He was very good at that. He wanted to leave a legacy, so I was able to prepare.”
She was named Deputy Chief and, upon Davis’ retirement, moved into the top position.
Sebastian’s chief law enforcement officer could appropriately be described as an Iron Butterfly: rather small, soft-spoken and approachable, with a pleasant demeanor, she’s also capable of being as tough as any situation calls for.
Although she typically avoids the spotlight, or any “pomp and circumstance,” the sworn officers and volunteers who serve under her command attest to her strong leadership qualities and the respect they hold for her.
As a female police chief, Morris is part of a still small minority. According to the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, in mid-2013, “at last count, there were just 219 women holding chiefs’ jobs in the U.S., where there are now more than 14,000 police agencies.”
And women, overall, still make up only 14 percent of the nation’s total law enforcement work force.
Has Morris seen changes in how women in law enforcement are treated and perceived, in her almost three decades in the field?
“Absolutely. There are more females choosing law enforcement than there were 28 years ago. We also now have uniforms, shoes, belts and ballistic vests that are made for females. When I started, I had to wear men’s or boy’s shoes, belts and uniforms and they certainly didn’t fit right. Also, being shorter, I had a hard time reaching the pedals in my assigned vehicle: we had to move equipment around to be able to adjust the seats. Women have been more widely accepted in this field in the last 30 years.”
In the late 1980s, she acknowledged, “There were those who thought women should not be police officers, and some were very vocal, but as time passed those behaviors have changed.”
For young women considering a career in law enforcement, Morris says: “It’s a great field. It was tough during the younger years of my children, but, with the assistance of family and friends, I was able to raise amazing sons who value women and know we can do anything. Also, be yourself! Don’t change to who you think a police officer should be. We all come in different packages now; no longer are we a cookie cutter mold.”