First-Ever All-Female Shift Patrols for Melrose Police Department

MELROSE — Chief Kevin Faller is pleased to report that the Melrose Police Department had an entire shift staffed by female officers for the first time in the department’s history on Sunday. 

On Sunday, Sept. 8, Officers Ashley Baldwin, Shannon Stamegna, and Mary Gill made history by becoming the first all-female patrol shift on the streets of Melrose. They worked the day shift together from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

“The Melrose Police Department’s first female Officer was hired in the late 1980’s but this was the first time we ever had all three of our sectors patrolled by female officers on the same shift,” said Chief Faller. “As a relatively small department it is important that we reach out and recruit as many qualified candidates as we can, from all walks of life and backgrounds. These officers do a tremendous job for our department, and I am sure they were proud to be part of this milestone in MPD history.”

The three officers typically work different shifts, but were assigned to work together due to vacations and other scheduling concerns. 

“Working in patrol as part of Melrose’s first all-female patrol with two other incredible female officers was an unforgettable experience. It wasn’t just about being on duty — it was about being role models, breaking new ground and showing that women can lead with strength, integrity, and unity in law enforcement,” said Officer Baldwin. “It is an honor to serve as a role model, inspiring future generations through our strength and dedication. This is one of the many reasons I chose this career path.”

“I haven’t really connected just how much females before me actually paved the way for lots of things that I take for granted. I worked in mostly female dominated jobs prior to policing so I didn’t appreciate the sacrifice. However, now I get it,” said Officer Stamegna. “I’ve had older women stop and say things such as ‘oh I always wanted to do that but couldn’t’ and the reasons have varied from they were scared, to having kids young, to it just not being socially acceptable. It’s those kinds of statements that have really made me appreciate all the women before me. The all female shift yesterday just reinforced for me that of course we’re capable of policing. So, I hope that we’re making all those women that paved the way proud.”

“A lot of times I don’t realize that we work in a male-dominated profession and I take for granted what it may have been like for the women who came before me. I feel so supported by all of my coworkers and have created strong relationships with the men and women on my shifts,” said Officer Gill. “It was cool to have all three females that work for the department assigned to patrol for that shift. We rarely work together based on our normal shifts so I was excited to be the sector cars with my girls.”