Takoma Voice Editorial • August 2002

Hail to the Chief: Cindy Creamer rises to the top

In 1976, women were uncommon in police departments, except in supportive roles. But Cindy Creamer knew that crime fighting was the only career for her, so she applied for a job with the Takoma Park Police.

Creamer, then a recent high school graduate, began as a dispatcher--regulations require that an officer be at least 21. But as soon as she qualified, Creamer was sworn into the department. Twenty-five years later, Creamer has worked as a patrol officer, an investigator, and an administrator. She has been named Officer of the Year twice and received the first award for Administrator of the Year.

Now she's the chief.

In the past five years, the Takoma Park Police Department has been shaken by salary disputes, allegations of police abuse, and federal probes. Most recently, the department lost its national accreditation. This department needs a confident and energetic leader--one who is respected by the officers, the city council, and the community.

We think that Creamer is an excellent choice. She loves police work and puts in the hours to prove it--up to 80 a week. She loves Takoma Park and, unlike a chief recruited from elsewhere, she knows the town. She's worked in every phase of police work--right here.

We approve of the city's decision to forego a lengthy search for a new chief. Our department needs a leader now. As luck would have it, we already had one.

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See Takoma Voice Editorial: Too important to wait: We endorse Van Hollen now