February 27, 1998

Contact: Yvonne French (202) 707-9191

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Media Advisory: Interim D.C. Police Chief Sonya T. Proctor To Give Women's History Keynote Address at Library of Congress

WHO: Interim D.C. Police Chief Sonya T. Proctor

WHAT: 1998 Women's History Month keynote address

WHEN: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3

WHERE: Library of Congress, Mumford Room sixth floor, James Madison Memorial Building 101 Independence Ave., SE

The lecture is free and open to the public.

BACKGROUND:

Ms. Proctor, a native Washingtonian, was named acting chief of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department on Nov. 26, 1997, while the D.C. Financial Control Board conducted a national search for a new chief following the resignation of Chief Larry D. Soulsby on November 25. Ms. Proctor is among the pool of candidates seeking the department's top job permanently.

The 24-year department veteran began her career as a police cadet in 1973. She now runs the day-to-day operations of a 3,600-member force.

Proctor took her oath of office as a police officer in 1974. She was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1979 and performed the duties of patrol sergeant, detective sergeant and administrative sergeant in the Second District, which covers Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, Cleveland Park and Tenley Circle.

In 1984, she was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and in 1991 she was promoted to the rank of captain and became commander of the Special Events Branch. While there, she planned and organized the department's response to all major events in the city. In 1993, Proctor was promoted to the rank of inspector.

She was named assistant chief of police on Feb. 26, 1997, becoming the highest ranking woman in the department's history.

According to the written reports, Proctor grew up in the Petworth area of Northwest Washington and completed two years of classes at the D.C. Teachers College before deciding to go into law enforcement.

 

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PR 98-034
2/27/98
ISSN 0731-3527