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Police Woman
Long before Sam Adams made waves as Portland, Ore.'s gay mayor, the macho world of Oregon police enforcement was crashed by lesbian Jennifer Bills
An Advocate.com exclusive posted July 3, 2008
Police Woman

Oregon is becoming one of those places, like California and New York, that is known to look beyond gender and orientation lines. Last month Portland elected openly gay Sam Adams as mayor of the esteemed Rose City, but long before that -- 14 years, to be exact -- lesbian Jennifer Bills became police lieutenant of Oregon's second largest city, Eugene. Strangely enough, Bills gained a reputation as an anti-authority figure who often clashed with police while attending the University of Oregon in Eugene as a young woman.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I think I wanted to be a veterinarian. But there’s a photo of me at about 8 years old and I’ve got a SWAT hat and jacket on. I remember playing cops and robbers, and I was always the cop.

As a student, how did you experience the police? Were you ever on the “wrong” side of the law?
I saw them as the bad guys. When I was student body president I spent a lot of time debating issues with the officer assigned to campus. I didn’t want to have anything to do with what he was telling me!

How do you reconcile your activism with your career choice?
You have door knockers and door kickers. I’ve never been a door kicker. I’ve had people tell me I'm a sellout, but I’d rather knock on the door, get inside, and start making changes.

People have opinions about the police based on individual moments and how individual officers handle themselves. There are people out there who are doing well because I intervened. In the end, it really is about a service you provide.

Has police work changed you as a person?
You rarely deal with people at their best. I think I’m a little more cynical because of that, and more protective of my family.

What’s it like being an out cop?
You can’t separate being a lesbian from being a woman. What they see first is the woman. Choosing whether or not to come out comes next. I’m out; I don’t know what “in” would feel like.

People working with you, getting to know you, and seeing your abilities really does change hearts and minds. When my son was born there weren’t any domestic-partner benefits; they’d never dealt with a lesbian parent. They gave me "compassionate leave," which is what they give when someone dies, so I could be with my partner and son.

What are your aspirations?
The only thing I want to do right now is get through the ’08 Olympic trials. We’re expecting about 17,000 visitors a day. That’s like having a U of O football game every day for two weeks.

Loomis is a Portland-based freelance writer.

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Carolyn
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 4:07 PM
    Hometown: Eugene Oregon

    Comment:

    Lt. - you're an inspiration and a fine officer as well as friend. Dont stop reaching for your goals as well as demanding the finest of our finest. I can tell you all that the Lt. hasnt always had it easy but she has garnered much deserved respect from her department.


  • Name: Travis
    Date posted: 2008-07-07 11:14 AM
    Hometown: Dallas

    Comment:

    Don't forget to include Texas in that list of places looking beyond gender and orientation. The state may not have the best track record, but Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez was elected in 2004 and is currently running for reelection.


  • Name: Carlton A. Williams
    Date posted: 2008-07-04 7:59 PM
    Hometown: Orange, NJ

    Comment:

    This is a proud moment in the history of the movement. I want to salute you as one of the standards bearer of modern time. This has resonated with those who have doubted the abilities of both gay men and women to break the glass ceiling. I salute you and feel that this is indeed another milestone.


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-07-04 3:18 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    We are 'everyone' and 'everywhere'. We are butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. We are doctors and ditchdiggers; we are bank presidents and hairdressers. We are soldiers, salilors and MARINES and, yes, we are firemen anc cops! There is nothing we can't do and no job we can't hold. My hat is off to Lieutenant Bills. WAY TO GO, GIRL!!!!


  • Name: Garet Benavides
    Date posted: 2008-07-03 4:10 PM
    Hometown: Nevada

    Comment:

    Way to go, LT! I would love to have an opportunity to ask you about your dept and how it is with gay/lesbian officers and support staff. I am an out lesbian officer with NLVPD. I am not confrontational or loud about who I am, but I do tell my fellow co-workers what I think and who I am if they ask. The discrepencey in how gay and lesbian officers and straight officers surfaced again just recently. We are required to report life-changing events to HR within 30 days. Well, after I legally married my wife in California, they didn't want to hear about it. I can't get her on my health insurance. I couldn't take FMLA to care for her after she had major surgery (I was able to use annual time instead). I am doing research of depts who have gay/lesbian units (SFPD, NYPD, SDPD, DCPD, etc). I want to be educated and have facts in hand when I approach my POA and Chief. If you have the time, my personal email is: garet.b@gmail.com Thank you and stay safe!


  • Name: Jamie
    Date posted: 2008-07-03 2:15 PM
    Hometown: K.C., MO

    Comment:

    Keep on knocking on those doors, Jennifer! Go sister, go!!!!


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