Today, we honor National Police Woman Day, an occasion to celebrate and reflect on the service and sacrifice that women who choose to wear the badge make. Here at Axon, we’re fortunate to know and work with many of these former public safety professionals.

They answered calls that could change lives in seconds, shouldered responsibility when the stakes were highest and carried compassion into moments where it mattered most. Now, they bring that same dedication into their roles at Axon, continuing their commitment to helping protect more lives in more places through our public safety technology.

To mark this day, we asked several of our colleagues to share their journeys—what led them to public safety service, their experiences in the field and what inspired their transition to Axon.

We learned that the reasons they chose to join the profession were diverse. For Kristine Hill, who now works as a Technical Account Manager, the call to serve came early. Surrounded by images of first responders and exposed to the world of policing through her mother’s work at a police academy, she always saw herself in uniform.

From the time I was first asked, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ my answer was always the same: a police officer,” she said. “At the core, my goal was simple: if I could help even one person, it would be worth it.

- Kristine Hill, Technical Account Manager

Amanda Stucky, today a Professional Services Manager, was inspired by opportunities she saw to make an impact in the field and to serve as a role model for future generations of girls. “Representation matters, and I knew that if even one young girl could look at me and say, ‘She looks like me’ or ‘She understands me,’ then I was doing something right.” Fellow Professional Services Manager Jessica Root echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “In a field dominated by men, I knew I could bring a different perspective and show that women belong in these roles.”

Kendra Dunlop, now a Customer Success Manager, recognized that not everyone had the ability to advocate for themselves. She felt compelled to be the one who could. “Being a police officer in many ways is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding careers that exists.”

For Molly Flavin, who works in Field Deployment and Engineering for Axon’s Federal sector, the path came “somewhat by chance” after meeting a recruiter in college. However, it soon became apparent that she had ended up exactly where she needed to be: “Once I started [at] the academy, I knew I had found my place. Law enforcement...was the career I was meant to pursue.”

The work itself left them with defining experiences that they still carry today, many of which revealed the impact and importance of the role. Amanda recalls a little girl who ran up to hug her, saying she wanted to be a police officer just like her. Years later, she returned to the department with handmade cards on the very day Amanda was promoted to sergeant. “A full circle moment I’ll never forget,” she said.

Jessica carries the weight of an incident that ended in tragedy. “I was the last person the victim saw and heard… Over time, I found comfort in the fact that she wasn’t alone; I was able to hold her as she passed. That experience reminded me that we can do everything right and still face circumstances outside our control.”

Their experiences also taught them the essential role that public safety professionals play in strengthening a sense of community, which requires compassion and heart. For Kendra, that connection meant finding humanity in small acts. On a bitterly cold Canadian night when every shelter was full, she offered a familiar community member a chance to warm up inside her patrol car. “We had hilarious, sad and deep conversations about life…I realized that being a police officer is not just about arresting ‘bad guys.’ It is about protecting the communities we serve and genuinely caring about people.”

Molly puts it simply: “Community and respect aren’t earned by the uniform you wear, but by the person underneath it. The uniform may open the door, but it’s compassion, strength, presence and the ability to communicate that truly define how you’re received.”

These experiences shape the advice they now share with young women considering a career in policing. Amanda’s encouragement is direct: “To the young girls thinking about joining law enforcement: do it. We need you.” Kristine adds a perspective grounded in resilience: “You are more capable and powerful than you realize… Don’t view failure as defeat; see it as a pivot point, a chance to discover new talents and rise stronger.”

Though their time in uniform has ended, their commitment to service remains the constant. Amanda explained, “The transition from law enforcement to Axon has been seamless. I still get to serve… My trainings aren’t just technical, they’re real. Because I’ve been there.” Jessica sees her work in the same way:

I see my role [at Axon] as an extension of the mission I started in uniform: helping those who serve their communities go home safely at the end of every shift.

- Jessica Root, Professional Services Manager

Importantly, they view their time behind the badge as a strength that helps them in their day-to-day life at Axon. For Kendra, “Being able to speak the language of our customers and truly know and understand the value of what we do has really helped build the relationships I have created both within Axon and with our customers.” Molly echoes a similar sentiment, saying, “Even in the first few minutes of conversation, I can build rapport by connecting on shared experiences…That level of trust and relatability is invaluable in the work I do now.”

Together, these voices reflect both the realities and rewards of policing as women: the strength to lead with compassion, the courage to shoulder difficult moments and the humility to know that respect must be earned. Their stories remind us that service does not end when the badge comes off. It continues in new forms, new missions and new ways to protect life.

To all the women who protect and serve their communities: thank you, today and every day.