Rowell to Make History as First Female to Serve City as Chief of Police
Download a photo of Chief Rowell
CHICKASHA, Okla. – (March 1, 2019) – Kathryn “Dee” Rowell will make history next week when she is sworn in as the City of Chickasha’s first female Chief of Police. Rowell joins the Chickasha Police Department after retiring from the Fort Worth Police Department, where she served for 32 years.
Rowell will be sworn in as the Chief of Police on Monday, March 4 during the Chickasha City Council Meeting. City Council Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held in the Council Chambers, on the second floor of City Hall, located at 117 N. 4th Street.
A native of Fort Worth, Rowell has a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Midwestern State University, and a master’s degree in Management in Leadership from Tarleton State University. Rowell started her career in law enforcement when she enrolled in the Fort Worth Police Academy in November of 1986, graduating from the Academy in March of 1987.
Making her way up the ranks in Fort Worth, Rowell worked all shifts and spent a considerable amount of time patrolling the streets. She led the department’s Community Programs Division, Professional Standards Division and, most recently, the East Division.
“Working in the East Division was a bit of a homecoming,” Rowell said. “It was one of my first assignments as an officer, and it was the fifth time in my career I served in the East Division. As Captain of the East Division I oversaw 190 employees and a $23 million budget.”
Rowell says her favorite thing about being a police officer is getting something accomplished for citizens in her community.
“A lot of times when people need the police, something’s gone bad,” Rowell said. “It’s not always a good response. I try to have a positive interaction with citizens and leave them feeling good by taking a couple of minutes to talk to people.”
Rowell said she has an open-door policy, and she strives to create a good relationship between the police department and citizens. She has confidence that the Chickasha Police Department will provide the quality of service the public expects from them.
No stranger to blazing the way for women, Rowell was the first female helicopter Flight Officer in Fort Worth, a position she held for two years before being promoted. As Chickasha’s first female Chief of Police, Rowell said she does not take for granted being a role model for the community’s youth and shares a word of wisdom.
“Do the right thing and tell the truth,” she said. “For any youth, that’s an important value to hang on to. If it’s something your mother would be ashamed about, you shouldn’t be doing it.”
When she is not at the Chickasha Police Station, you may find Rowell spending time with her cats, Panther and Miss Grayheart, or scuba diving. She is a Dive Master with PADI certification and has done more than 500 scuba dives.
About the City of Chickasha
The Gateway to Southwest Oklahoma, Chickasha is a small community, home to approximately 15,000 people. Chickasha is easily accessible by travel on U.S. Highways 81 or 62, or on four-lane Interstate 44, located approximately 30 minutes south of the Oklahoma City metro area. Visitors are drawn to the city for the Festival of Light, Arts Festival, sporting events and other entertainment opportunities. Visit their website, chickasha.org, to learn more, or follow the City of Chickasha on Facebook, Twitter on Instagram at @ChickashaOK.
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