St. Louis Police Department's Highest Ranking Female Officer was a Girl Scout!

Special Guest Blog by Charles Bolinger, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Major Rochelle Jones as a Girl Scout in St. Louis, MO. Before joining Girl Scouts, Major Jones said she was shy and quiet; now she is the highest ranking female officer in the St. Louis City Police Department!

St. Louis City Police Department’s highest ranking female officer, Major Rochelle Jones, kept a small detail from her boss until this May. 

Prior to serving as a guest speaker at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s Project Anti-Violence Education (PAVE) rally in May, Major Jones told her boss, Police Chief Sam Dotson, that she used to be a Girl Scout.

Major Rochelle Jones, St. Louis City Police Department

“Girl Scouts was my first leadership experience. How great it was - the teamwork, the positive experiences, and working with other girls and troop leaders,” she said.  

In 2007, Major Jones was promoted to command the homicide unit. She was the first woman and the first African American to serve in that role. Currently, she is the Night Chief: the top officer in the department during evening hours.

"I can sleep at night, knowing Major Jones is on duty, taking care of the city's police needs," said St. Louis Chief of Police Sam Dotson.

At May's PAVE rally, Major Jones advised the girl audience to stand up against bullying, and to call for an adult if needed. Major Jones also stressed the importance of volunteering and helping others.

"Once you make it or while you're making it, reach back to help others on their climb," she advised. 

Click here to learn how you can volunteer with Girl Scouts and help others on their climb!