The Utica Police Department made history Monday. As part of a handful of promotions -- the department promoted its first-ever African-American female to the rank of sergeant. Cara Thomas introduces Sergeant Starr Rae Wooden.
UTICA, N.Y. -- Six Utica police officers were given a great honor Monday. One was promoted to lieutenant, the others to sergeant. But one officer's promotion was a historic moment for the police department.
Sergeant Starr Rae Wooden was the first African-American woman to ever receive that title within the Utica Police Department.
"It's, it's a great feeling," Wooden said. "It's just a shame that it took so long, but I'm glad that we're here."
Wooden joined the Utica Police Department in June of 2008, and has continued to prove her commitment and leadership skills to her superiors.
"She's not being promoted just because she's a black female. She's the whole package. College graduate, smart girl, and more importantly, she treats this more than just an 8 hour a day job," said Utica Police Chief Mark Williams.
While her gender and race, make Sergeant Wooden the person she is today, she says it's her deep connection to the community she's sworn to protect, that makes her a better officer.
"I went to high school here, I played sports here. Being a minority also adds to that because you obviously, share a common bond with other minorities. But I think it's more so the familiarity of being from Utica," said Wooden.
Sergeant Wooden's father was given the honor of putting her new badge on her uniform. He says it's the proudest moment of his life. But says he hopes this isn't the only way his daughter is remembered.
"It's an opportunity that she was able to get and I'm glad for her because she's more of a person than just to be singled out as an African American, she's an asset to the community," said Curtis Wooden, her father.
She is setting an example to other young black women, as long as you're willing to put in the hard work -- you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.