PSPD promotes first female captain in department history
The Palm Springs Police Department promoted Lt. Melissa Desmarais to the rank of Captain, making her the first female captain in department history.
This isn’t the first time Desmarais has broken barriers at the department. She is the first female Lieutenant, Sergeant, and motorcycle officer in the department’s nearly 80-year history.
Desmarais joined the PSPD in 2002 and has worked a variety of different of assignments in her time with the department, including public information officer, patrol, field training officer, mounted enforcement unit member, explorer program advisor, and explorer program sergeant. In 2007, she was voted PSPD Officer of the Year by her peers.
Desmarais’ promotion officially kicks off this Sunday. According to PSPD, she will assume command of the support services division which includes; investigations, communications – 911 center, the records bureau and the newly formed professional standards bureau.
Next week, PSPD will announce several new police officers, community service officers, and promotions to sergeant and lieutenant.
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