The Speaker

Crystal Williams-Coleman was born in Harlem, New York. Crystal has been employed with the Philadelphia Police Department for 32 years and recently retired in January of 2019. During her employment she has been assigned to the 25th District, Juvenile Aid Division (JAD), Special Victims Unit and Homicide Division until her retirement.

Crystal is a dedicated member of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers Inc (NABLEO), currently serving as National Vice Chairperson, President of the Guardian Civic League, member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and Chairperson of Broad of Director’s Law Enforcement Health Benefits (LEHB). Her rare qualities, coupled with her friendly personality and quick wit, allow her to establish and maintain an atmosphere of pride and professionalism in her daily environment. Crystal is a positive motivator who displays compassion, decisiveness and determination. She has never been afraid to speak out about unfair treatment directed towards the community or law enforcement officers.

Crystal has handled many cases during her years of service. She was afforded the opportunity to appear on the Next 48, investigating the case involving The Kensington Strangler and throughout her career work with many great officers including the late Lauretha Vaird, the first African American Female Police Officer killed in the line of duty in the City of Philadelphia.

She serves as the moderator for this program.

The Workshop

Female Cops: Fighting For Respect in A Boys Club Culture : Thursday, September 30, 2021 10:30A

Police work is inherently stressful. However, this traditionally male-dominated field has created increased obstacles and stressors for female officers. And while all officers are exposed to stressors that are inherent to the job—such as violent crime, human suffering, and life and death decisions—many of the unique stressors that women face are due to the organizational stress associated with the policies and practices of the department, causing female officers to experience higher levels of stress than their male counterparts do. This stress is related to the gender bias, sexual harassment, and isolation that women commonly experience in the male-dominated field of law enforcement.

We must now ask what is the role of those in law enforcement to prevent sexual victimization, to ensure it is not perpetrated by their fellow officers, and to take every step possible to ensure the safety and dignity of everyone in the community?” This panel discussion will focus not only on the careers of women who have been trailblazers in what is traditionally considered a “male” occupation but will also examine this question through the lens of several female law enforcement officers, followed by a discussion on some of the key takeaways.