Van Wert woman police officer sworn in

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Van Wert Police Department made some recent history Tuesday with the swearing in of its only current woman police officer.

Mayor Don Farmer swore in former dispatcher Brandi Linder as the department’s first woman officer in more than three decades — and the 21st officer overall — in a ceremony attended by a number of her fellow police officers and her parents.

Police Chief Joel Hammond first spoke, noting that it is always a significant accomplishment for a dispatcher to rise through the ranks to become an officer. Both of the last two city police officers sworn in have been former dispatchers. Longtime dispatcher and former county corrections officer Bryon Wells was sworn in last fall.

“This is something Brandi wanted to do and we’re real proud of the accomplishment for her to be getting sworn in today as an officer,” Chief Hammond said.

The police chief also noted that he had planned to hire Linder a couple of years ago as a full-time officer, but the economic downturn prevented that from happening.

“We’re happy that the administration allowed us to do this,” Chief Hammond said.

Linder, who started with the department in 2002, left briefly to be a probation officer and then returned, spent nearly a decade as a dispatcher and part-time officer before being hired full-time.

“I enjoy both parts of the job (dispatching and being an officer), but I’m really liking this,” Linder said, noting that it was the chance to go out with officers on ride-alongs that got her interested in being a police officer.

Linder’s parents, retired Lima Fire Lieutenant Bob Dershem and his wife, Betty, said they were proud of their daughter’s accomplishments, but also a little surprised when she first said she was interested in being a police officer.

“It really kind of surprised us that she gravitated toward this,” Linder’s father said, noting that his daughter had at first been interested in a more outdoor-based career as a wildlife officer.

Lt. Dershem added that the family has a tradition of public service that goes back to 1973.

Her mother, who held the Bible for her daughter as she was sworn in, said it was a big day for the family.

“We’re very proud of her and she’s worked very hard for this,” said Betty Dershem.

Although it was believed that Linder was the first woman officer on the city police department, Phyllis Holmes was hired by then Police Chief Mike “Tim” Kennedy to be a parking enforcement officer, as well as perform other law enforcement duties, several decades ago. Although some of her duties were  not that of a police officer, she said she did carry a gun and could make arrests.