Women set record on the force

SANDUSKY — With the hiring of two new female officers, Sandusky police now has more women on the force than ever before. Residents might have noticed two new officers on patrol in the city: Nicole Bogard and Lisa Loesser. Bogard joined the team in November and was officially on patrol in January. Loesser was working as a reserve officer in October and was hired full-time in April. The department now has five women working full-time as police officers and one reserve officer: Carissa Cruz works in the detective bureau and retired Sgt. Tracey Susana works as a reserve officer. Lt. Dawn Allen and Officer Makayla Cook pioneered a path in Sandusky's force for Bogard and Loesser with their service. Allen, who was promoted to lieutenant in 2018, has served 20 years with the department, and Cook is almost in her fifth year with Sandusky police. Their other female predecessors in high-ranking police positions include Susana, who was the first woman to serve as a sergeant with Sandusky police, and Bay View police Chief Helen Prosowski, the first woman to serve as an officer and detective with the department. "I am proud of making the rank of lieutenant," Allen previously told the Register. "I wanted to become a lieutenant, as I believe you should always strive to be the best you can." Bogard and Loesser are at the very beginning of their careers and, like Allen, they are breaking in with Sandusky police. These two are entering a profession that has fallen under nationwide scrutiny and garnered heavy distrust in recent years. Despite the adversity, the officers look to rebuild a healthy connection between the community and law enforcement officials. "I feel privileged to have this opportunity," Bogard said. "Hopefully, we change the way some people view officers, consider myself human like everyone else." "Positively impacting the community and being an officer is an honorable position," Loesser said. "It's a job that should be respected and give respect back to the community. We want to build that connection with the community." Both officers are from Port Clinton and landed in Sandusky looking for a more active department. After graduating college in criminal justice, Bogard had her daughter but soon made her way back to law enforcement. She said she wanted her daughter to see her follow her dreams — to know it is possible. "It was important for me to pursue my dreams so she knows she can be more than just a mom when she grows up," Bogard said. Cook is in her fourth year as an officer with Sandusky. She reiterated the importance for young girls to see a woman officer in the field. Cook's grandmother was a lieutenant for the Huron County Sheriff's Office. "It's great for young women to see that women can do anything they want, and just because it's mainly a male occupation, they can do it, too," Cook said. "I love talking to girls about that." Cook, who is originally from Norwalk, said that, in the past four years, she's enjoyed getting to know the community in those years and she is still getting to know residents she hasn't yet met. "It means a lot to me when I go to a call for someone I've never met and they say 'I'm glad it's you who came,'" Cook said. "I like being able to help, I'm not going to hold anything against anyone and will always do my job." Cook said women officers are at times more approachable to other women, children and sometimes men. In a scenario with a victim present, that comforting trait can be a constructive attribute to the team. "I feel women naturally give more of a comforting feeling," Cook said. "It benefits victims. Female victims and kids feel like they can talk to a woman better than a male officer. I feel like there's a lot of good that comes from being a woman on the force." "Women are more naturally empathetic," Bogard said. "People see women as less threatening and they open up easier to a woman because they find comfort in females." Bogard and Loesser said in some instances and on some calls, a comforting ear is all the community needs. "Sometimes someone just needs someone to listen," Bogard said. "Every day is a new challenge," Loesser said. "Trying to figure out how to help people solve their problems."