Serving Our Community: Captain Laura Dixon Hartshorn

Delaware County has some amazing men and women who staff our police departments. They are dedicated to keeping their community safe and do so selflessly. One police officer who is making her department and community proud is Captain Laura Dixon Hartshorn.

Besides her work with the Chester Township Police Department and her dedication and involvement in her community, Hartshorn is blazing trails for Delaware County women in law enforcement by becoming the first female officer to graduate from the FBI National Academy.

This is even more impressive when you discover that an officer needs to be nominated to attend and that only one percent of police officers are chosen to attend. Of that one percent, less than 10 percent are female.

Hartshorn began her career with the Chester Township Police Department as a patrol officer in 1996 and was promoted to Corporal and then to her current position as Captain of Police in January 2014. Being in law enforcement comes naturally to her; Her father was a Delaware County Sheriff and her brother is in the military.

Because attending the FBI National Academy is so esteemed, the process of being accepted is extensive and thorough. After you have been nominated, the vetting process begins. Everything about you is examined to make sure that you the type of person the Academy wants. Some of the requirements for nomination include an excellent character and professional reputation, “exhibit an interest in law enforcement as a public service, a seriousness of purpose, qualities of leadership and enjoy the confidence and respect of fellow officers.”

Hartshorn said she was very nervous to find out if she had been accepted. Once she had learned of her acceptance, she was very honored and proud.   

She said that attending the Academy was similar to a semester of college. You had speakers, papers to write, and presentations to give. There was a lot of physical training and, if you wanted some free time, you had to figure out a schedule so you could complete all of your work. Classes cover the topics of law, forensic science, leadership, behavioral science, communication, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets and, of course, health and fitness.

The final test of the fitness challenge is called the “Yellow Brick Road Run”. Named for the yellow bricks placed by Marines at various spots to show runners the trail, this test is a grueling 6.1 mile run through a hilly, wooded trail. Along the way, participants must climb walls, run through creeks, scale rock faces and more. Hartshorn knew this course would be a challenge. “But it was more than I expected,” she said. “At the end, you really feel like you earned it. It was so tough.” She completed it in about 90 minutes - in the rain.

Attending the Academy gave Hartshorn a chance to hear from and speak with officers from all over the states and the world and discuss law enforcement and techniques. Everything she learned while at Academy is something that she is able to bring back to Chester to help her department grow.

When asked how she feels about being the first female from Delaware County to graduate from the Academy, Hartshorn said it feels surreal. “I’m honored. Time and hard work were put in. It feels good to possibly be a role model for young girls.”

To young people who may be interested in a career in law enforcement, Hartshorn offered this advice: “Make sure that you really want to go into it. It’s not an easy job; somethings will stay with you and you will need to talk them out with someone. Focus is very important and language is your biggest weapon. Law enforcement is not all about cracking heads, it’s more about negotiation. It’s about the community so treat others like you want to be treated. Have respect for others even if they don’t respect you.”

Thank you, Captain Hartshorn, for your dedication to your department and community! You are an inspiration to many!