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The Detectives

Trailblazers: Canada's first generation of female homicide detectives

From being refused a gun holster to getting changed in the broom closet, Niagara, Ontario's first generation of female police officers recall the challenges of being trailblazers.
The Detectives ·

Women on the front lines

4 years ago
Duration 3:39
Three generations of female officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service talk about their challenges and triumphs as trailblazers in their field.

In 1984, Keri Harrison was one of four women sworn into the Niagara Regional Police Service. Before them, there hadn't been a woman hired in over 12 years.

"There just weren't any female police officers when I was a kid," said Harrison. Luckily, she found a mentor within the force, Deputy Chief Donna Moody. The two have remained good friends to this day.

From having to use a purse as a gun holster to getting changed in the broom closet, Moody and Harrison recall the challenges and triumphs of being part of Canada's first generation of women in homicide law enforcement. Watch the video above.

Catch Detective Keri Harrison on CBC's The Detectives as she takes us through her first lead case — an investigation that turned out to be one of the strangest of her career. 

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