Debra Gauthier is a former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department lieutenant who chronicled in a book her 21-year police career as a woman on a predominantly male police force.
Education Gauthier graduated with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in 1979 and a master's in public administration in 1990 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Career She joined the Las Vegas police force in 1980 as the first woman in the department to be placed on street patrol.
In 1986, she arrested Mafia lieutenant Herbert BlitzsteinLas Vegas Sting: Operation Chutzpah | Debra Gauthier during a multi-agency task force called “Operation Chutzpah.”Columnist Jeff German: DuCharme once posed as 'dirty cop' to infiltrate the mob – Las Vegas Sun News
She implemented the department's first bicycle patrol unit, which she oversaw as a sergeant. Afterward, in 1994, she was promoted to lieutenant. She appeared as a cast member on Fox's TV series Cops while still a bike patrol sergeant."Cops Episodes on FOX: Las Vegas, Nevada", TV Guide
Gauthier claimed discrimination against the department while working in what she claimed was a male-dominated environment under unsafe conditions. After she was promoted to lieutenant and passed the captain's test, she was demoted following an internal affairs probe into ethics allegations brought by a subordinate."Metro taping ban comes under fire", September 29, 1997, Las Vegas Sun In 1999, Gauthier was one of four women who held a news conference outside police headquarters claiming discrimination by the department.Four officers claim Metro discrimination – Las Vegas Sun News
While still on the force, Gauthier filed a $1 million suit against her department for discrimination.Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Demoted female officer sues police for $1 million," June 6, 1998Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Demoted female police administrator claims discrimination," December 3, 1997Las Vegas Sun, "Demoted police sergeant sues Metro for $1 million," June 7, 1998 A federal jury ruled against her in 2002 and dismissed her lawsuit against the department.Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Sexual Harassment Lawsuit: Federal jury rules against officer in case," January 18, 2002
In 1999–2000, Gauthier was appointed as a member of the American Bar Association's Judicial Assessment Commission of the Nevada Supreme Court.
In 2002, following a forced retirement after 21 years, Gauthier ran unsuccessfully for the office of sheriff of Clark County. Ms. magazine wrote that one of her campaign platforms was disqualifying police officer candidates with histories of violent behavior. Ms. magazine, "Woman Running to be First Female Sheriff of Clark County, Nevada," August 2002
In August 2013, Gauthier appeared on Pat Robertson's The 700 Club on the Christian Broadcasting Network to discuss her career and her life as a woman working in a male-dominated police force. She was questioned about her known homosexuality.CBN The 700 Club - "Lady Police Officer Strives to be Top Cop"
Bright Lights, Dark Places In July 2011, a memoir titled Bright Lights, Dark Places: Pioneering As A Female Police Officer In Las Vegas was released by Tate Publishing. The book chronicles Gauthier's career as an officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department from 1980 to 2001.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote that "the picture (Gauthier) paints of the Metropolitan Police Department in the book is not a flattering one. She writes that she endured sexual harassment, was intentionally not notified of meetings she was supposed to attend, had her days off changed without notice and was passed over for promotions."Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Former cop pens book detailing time as one of department's first female patrol officers," June 28, 2011
Las Vegas columnist John L. Smith wrote that “former Metro Lt. Debra Gauthier has just published a revealing memoir of her life, police career and spiritual growth.Las Vegas Review-Journal, John L. Smith column, "Cop Lit" (scroll down)
She was described as a "trail blazer" by BlogTalkRadio for writing the book.BlogTalkRadio, "Author Debra Gauthier, LVMPD Trail Blazer, shares new book," July 12, 2011 She also appeared on the "It's A Crime" show on KCAA-AM 1050 NBC Radio to discuss the book and her career.Debra Gauthier | It's A Crime Radio
References
External links Author's official site Publisher's book page
San Diego Reader - "Crime Books"