Ep. 61: Minerva Gaines (from the Police Applicant Podcast): How to be a Cop, Lessons, Experiences and Insights

Blue Grit Radio : the better cops and community podcast

I had to pleasure to first meet Minerva when she was co-hosting for the Police Applicant Podcast with Ken (see episode 53!). We chatted police hiring then and now.
Prompted by a social media post about challenges facing women in policing (@fitresponder reel), we got chatting about how Minerva faced or witnessed a LOT of what was presented.
In our conversation, we talk about the seemingly impossible work/life balance with themes of burnout and over-investment in police identity.

Her experiences and insights on family dynamics: sacrifices and grind while working shift-work and working to manage time with kids AND one’s spouse/partner.
From all of these perspectives and topics, we explore historical and traditional mindsets and what a police agency leadership and culture can do to affect these dynamics positively or negatively.

You can contact Minerva at lady_g213 on IG
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Minerva Gaines is a retired Police Officer from Glendale P.D. (CA). She served for 12 years working assignments in patrol, Community Policing, and Professional Standards Bureau - Background Unit. She was certified as a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) and retired in 2012 due to a back injury.

In 2013, Minerva started her career with the City of Los Angeles as a Background Investigator, conducting sworn and civilian backgrounds for LAPD. In 2019, she transferred to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power conducting administrative investigations involving employee misconduct. In May of 2022, she promoted to an Administrative Manager position overseeing a division of approximately 150 Engineers. Her duties include hiring, budget administration, discipline, and other administrative/personnel functions.

Minerva is a former co-host of The Police Applicant Podcast. She was recently appointed to the Personnel Board for her home city. She enjoys spending time with her two kids, working out, hiking, going to the beach and traveling.

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