Josephine Serrano Collier

Josephine Serrano Collier (March 14, 1922 – February 25, 2014)[1] was the first Latina woman to join the Los Angeles Police Department.[1][2][3][4]

Early life

Collier grew up in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles.[5]

Career

Collier worked for the Lockeed Corporation building P-38 Ventura fighter planes during World War II.[6]

In 1946, she was one of nine women to be hired by the Los Angeles Police Department. Of these nine women, Collier was the only one of Mexican descent making her the first Latina woman to join the Los Angeles Police Department.[1]

In 1951, she posed as a distressed patient. Dr. Ralph Reed, a practicing physician for 28 years, felt so sorry for her he knocked $20 off his usual $100 abortion fee. Collier paid him in marked bills. [7]

Collier retired from the Los Angeles Police Department in 1960.[6]

Personal life

Collier married fellow officer, Darwin "Jack" Collier. The couple, who had three children, moved to Idaho and later to Arizona where Collier died at the age of 91.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Colker, David (2014-03-22). "Josephine Serrano Collier dies at 91; LAPD's first Latina officer". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  2. ^ "LAPD Pays Tribute To Josephine Serrano Collier, A Latina Pioneer". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  3. ^ "First Latina Woman To Join LAPD Dies At 91". CBSLA.com. 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  4. ^ "Police History: 5 trailblazing women in law enforcement". Police1. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  5. ^ Bramlett, Matthew. "Josephine Serrano Collier, First Latina LAPD Officer, Dies At 91". LAist. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  6. ^ a b "Death of First LAPD Latina Police Woman NR14111rf - Los Angeles Police Department". www.lapdonline.org. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  7. ^ "Horrifying stories of women chased down by the LAPD abortion squad before Roe vs. Wade". Los Angeles Times.