To promote the recruitment, retention, mentoring, and promotion of women in law enforcement, sworn and civilian, by providing an annual conference to educate law enforcement agencies and their employees on ways to increase the number of women in this profession.

Who we are...

The RMWLE staff is a group of dedicated women and men who either work as Sworn officers or civilians in various departments along the corridor of the "Front Range" of mountains from Fort Collins, Colorado south through Denver and Colorado Springs to Pueblo, Colorado.  The women of the RMWLE came together under the leadership of Recruiting Officer Tina Wisler of the Colorado Springs Police Department in August of 2002.  All committee members are volunteers and are looking forward to seeing women from all areas of the region come together to network, encourage and educate each other in the field of law enforcement.  Please see some of the bios below.

2006 RMWLE Conference Committee

Lieutenant Jane Anderson – Midnight Patrol Lieutenant, Colorado Springs Police Department

Lt. Anderson has been with the CSPD for 18 years.  She was a patrol officer for her first six years, working the midnight and "power" shifts.  Lt. Anderson took a position as the CSPD In-service training coordinator at the Training Academy for a year.  She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1996 and worked for 5 years as a patrol supervisor.  She moved from her assignment as the CSPD Community Relations Sergeant after 2 years to the Training Academy, where she spent three years overseeing in-service training.   She was promoted to Lt. in August 2007 and is now a midnight patrol lieutenant in the Falcon Division.  As part of the conference staff, Janie co-chaired the 2006 Conference Committee and the curricula development committee.  She looks forward to chairing the curricula committee for the 2008 conference.  A sports enthusiast, "Janie" enjoys kickboxing, mountain biking and playing outside with her kids.  She enjoyed coaching her daughter's basketball and softball teams but is now retiring as their coach since she is now playing on the middle school teams.  She is also the avid fan, watching her kid’s baseball, soccer, football, volleyball and basketball.  Her idea of relaxation is to hang out on a beach or poolside soaking up the sun...

Officer Nicole Baldwin - Patrol Officer - Midnight Shift Colorado Springs Police Department

Officer Nicole Baldwin has served with CSPD since 2005.  She is assigned to the patrol  on the Falcon Division midnights shift.  In September 2006, she volunteered to be part of a team of police officers that assisted in the reorganization and 100% inventory at both evidence storage facilities.  She is very involved in the Employee Resource Team, the recruiting tea, for CSPD.   Officer Baldwin has also served 21 years in the Air Force and Air Force reserve. Her assignments included being a C-141 Star-lifter Flight Engineer, C-130 H/E Hercules Flight Engineer and her current assignment is at Peterson AFB, as an Aerial Port Specialist. In her off time Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband Officer Andrew Baldwin out of Stetson Hills Division; they welcomed their first baby, a boy, February 2008. 

Edna Beery- Communications- Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office

Edna Beery started her career as a dispatcher at the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Department in 1985.  She then moved to Pueblo and continued her career as a Communication Officer with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office in 1991.  Edna then transferred to become the Evidence Custodian at the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office for four years and then back to the Communication Center for the last four years where she became a supervisor in January of 2007. 

Liz Brown, Communications, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Biography TBA

Officer Leticia Castillo - Patrol Officer - Englewood Police Department

Officer Castillo has been with Englewood PD since 1999.  She was born and raised in Los Angeles and obtained a BA in Journalism in 1980. She spent twelve years in the television news business before making a career change to law enforcement.  She joined the LAPD in 1986 serving in Patrol, Vice, Detective Bureau, and Burglary, DUI and the Stolen Vehicle Task Forces.  After too many earthquakes, she moved to Denver in 1996 and spent one year with WB Channel 2 News in Greenwood Village.  In 1997, she became POST Certified in Colorado and hired on with Englewood Police in 1999 where she is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau. Officer Castillo also serves as a SWAT Negotiator, CIT Officer and Field Training Officer. With her duo background, Officer Castillo served as the Department PIO for three years. Officer Castillo is also the department’s only fluent Spanish speaker and has served her agency translating but for other metro area agencies as well.  She is a "self professed gym rat" and enjoys weight training, aerobics, yoga and pilates. She also enjoys running both in and out doors. 

Darcy Dittenber, Communications , El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Darcy Dittenber has been with the El Paso County Sheriff for 9+ years.  She started as a dispatcher in the Communications Center.  During her time with the Office, she has moved from dispatcher to trainer, to assistant supervisor, and finally supervisor.  Darcy is also the Supervisor for the Tactical Dispatch Unit that responds with SWAT, SRT, and the County wild land team.  Within the last year, Darcy helped to implement the first civilian Crisis Negotiation positions on the EPSO CNU team.  Darcy created a dispatch mentoring program for new employees that she continues to direct successfully.

Kandy Fritch, Communications, El Paso County Sheriff's Office

Kandy has a total of 15 years law enforcement experience.  She began her law enforcement career with 6 years in the Military Police Corp. with the US Army.  After a short break in between, she returned to law enforcement as a dispatcher with El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.  She has been there since March of 1999,where she remains today.  She is currently an Assistant Supervisor of both a floor shift and the Tactical Dispatch Unit.  In her off time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years and 2 kids, as well as actively pursuing her college degree in Psychology.

Detective Nancy Gifford, Sex Crimes/Juvenile Investigations, Colorado Springs Police Department

Nancy Gifford has been with the Colorado Springs Police Department for 23 years.  For the first 12 years she was a civilian working in the Detective Bureau and Narcotics Unit.  She became a sworn police officer in 1997 where she spent the first 3 years in patrol and 5 years in the Neighborhood Policing Unit as a middle school resource officer/sex offender tracking officer.  She was then assigned to the Research and Development Unit for 3 years where she conducted legislative analyses, wrote policies, and researched projects.  Nancy is currently assigned as a detective in the Sex Offender Unit where she tracks registered sex offenders making sure they are in compliance.  Nancy has been a member of the Colorado Springs Police Department Honor Guard Drill Team for 6 years.  After raising two children (now ages 25 and 21) she decided to go back to school and obtained her Associates of Applied Science in Criminal Justice.  In her off time, she loves biking, running, and jet skiing.

Bureau Chief Charlene Graham- Law Enforcement Bureau, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office

Chief Graham served 35 years with the Pueblo Police Department, starting as a Meter Maid and retiring as a Deputy Chief in 2004.  During her career she attained a Bachelors and a Master Degree.  During her 12 years as a Deputy Chief she oversaw the Investigative Services Division and the Operations Division.  In 2007, Charlene went back to work for newly elected Sheriff Kirk Taylor as the Bureau Chief of Law Enforcement.  She is thoroughly enjoying being back at work.  Charlene is a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Pueblos and on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club/Girls Inc. of Pueblo and the Lower Arkansas Valley.  She is also an adjunct faculty member at Colorado State University – Pueblo.  Charlene has been an integral part of the Conference Committee since its beginning and was co-chair of the 2004 conference.  Chief Graham brings vast law enforcement and training experience to the group.  Charlene retired from the Pueblo Police Department and has since taken a position with the Pueblo Sheriff's Office as a Bureau Chief in charge of the the Law Enforcement Bureau.

Sergeant Cari Graves - Patrol Supervisor - Midnight Shift Colorado Springs Police Department   

Sgt. Graves has been with CSPD for 15 years.  She spent 5 years on patrol, predominantly on the midnight shift.  For 4 1/2 years she was assigned the Neighborhood Policing Unit where she worked on community based problem solving projects and taught classes in a local middle school for two years.   She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in May of 2002 and had been assigned to the "Swing" shift at CSPD's northern Falcon Division.  Recently, she served as the Community Relations Sergeant and was assigned as the Director of the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team from January 2004 through the end of 2007. Cari has recently returned to the Patrol Division, working her favorite midnight shift.  She serves on the Conference staff as the web mistress, newsletter editor and graphics guru.   Sgt. Graves is an avid softball player and has developed a passion for playing ice hockey since joining the police department.  Cari enjoys both working and playing on her laptop computer and other gizmos... 

Captain Linda Grisham, Traffic Division, Pueblo Police Department

Linda has been employed by the Pueblo Police Department for 25 years, beginning her career as a civilian dispatcher.  She began the police academy in October 1991 and became a sworn police officer.  Linda’s assignments as a patrol officer included bike patrol, honor guard, community policing officer, and field training officer.  She was assigned as a detective in the newly formed Domestic Violence Unit in April 1997 and was tasked with the design and implementation of the Domestic Violence Fast Track Prosecution Program.  She was a community liaison and instructor as well as an active member of the Pueblo Community Domestic Violence Task Force.  Linda was promoted to Sergeant in June 2001 and assigned as a field supervisor in the Patrol Division where her assignments included field training supervisor, police academy instructor, and Chaplain Corps Coordinator.  In March 2004, she was assigned to the Administration Division where her jobs included fleet maintenance, building maintenance, and supervision of the Property, Evidence, and Supply Section.  Linda was promoted to Captain in February 2006 and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division.  Her current duties also include coordinator of the Chaplain Corps and Crisis Intervention Team. She is past president of Southeastern Colorado Law Enforcement and current 1^st Vice President of RMWLE.  In her “spare time”, Linda enjoys genealogy research, flower gardening, reading, camping, and fishing.

Deputy Tammy Gugliotta- Civil Division - El Paso County Sheriff's Office

Deputy Tammy Gugliotta started with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office in 1998. Her career began as a civilian in the Intake and Release section of the Criminal Justice Center as a bookkeeper. She then advanced to Concealed Handgun/Extra Duty office. In 2001 she became a deputy sheriff. She worked in detentions for 1 year and in 2002 was transferred back to Intake and Release on the midnight shift. After 3 years in Intake she transferred to patrol and is now assigned to the Civil Department. Tammy is a Crisis Negotiator and sits on the board for the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge.

Sergeant Sandy Kline, Retired, Houston Police Department

When Sgt. Sandy Kline (ret.) began the Houston Police Academy in October, 1977, women had just begun wearing pants instead of skirts and riding patrol instead of a desk.  She worked patrol for the next 12 years, mixing in additional duties and assignments such as field training officer, State-certified crime prevention specialist, crime scene unit operator, and DARE instructor.  Sgt. Kline spent a year working fulltime on the Houston Police Department’s hosting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in 1985.  Since then she has worked on numerous conferences, the RMWLE being the most recent.  In 1987 the Police-Citizen Positive Interaction Program she founded and ran was recognized by the Police Foundation as one of the 17 outstanding crime prevention programs in the country.  In 1990, Sgt. Kline and another sergeant researched, proposed, implemented, and supervised the Family Violence Unit in the Houston Police Department, one of the earliest  and still one of the largest units of its type in the country.  She has a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston, is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Management Institute, a federally-certified hate crimes trainer, federally-certified domestic violence and community policing trainer, and a trained mediator.  Sgt. Kline retired in 2002 and now owns her own training and consulting company where she continues to teach at conferences and at agencies across the country.  A native Coloradoan, she is thrilled to be working with the RMWLE and see the next generation of policewomen take their place in law enforcement.

Lieutenant Laurie Leach - Director of Training - Pueblo County Sheriff's Office

Laurie Leach has been with the department for 21 years. She started off with the jail, working the security, booking, control rooms, before getting promoted to corporal and then sergeant. She then attended the Pueblo Community College Police Academy and graduated with academic honors and president of her class. Laurie then applied for a position in patrol and worked there for four years. She also worked for Warrants/Civil Division for a year. She was a sergeant for Transportation and Court Security for four years and then was promoted in January 2007 to a lieutenant. She is currently the director of Training Section and the Public Information Officer for the department. Laurie also has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and she is also Certified Jail Manager.

Sergeant Deana LoSasso -University of Colorado Health Sciences Center PD

Sgt. LoSasso has been with the UCDHSC Police Department Since 1993.  She is a graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder.  Sgt. LoSasso started the bicycle program in 1995 with 3 officers.  She has been the coordinator of the program since that time.  The program has expanded over the years to 7 officers, and is continuing to grow.  Sgt. LoSasso was a field training officer for 3 years. She was promoted to the rank of Sgt. in January 2004.  Sgt. LoSasso enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her two children.  She is an assistant coach for her son’s hockey team and baseball team.

Sergeant Colin Low - Patrol Supervisor, Colorado Springs Police Department

Sgt. Low has served 35 years in law enforcement. He served 2 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, 6 years in law enforcement in the Air Force, and 27 years with the Colorado Springs Police Department. Colin has served as a Master Patrol Officer, Traffic Officer, Patrol and Traffic Sergeant. Colin is currently in charge of the Major Accident Unit in the Stetson Hills Division. Sgt. Low also coordinates Motor Carrier Safety Operations for Colorado Springs. Colin is a member of the American Legion and is a board member for the Colorado Police Protective Association. In his off time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle and horses with his wife, our President, at their ranch.

Sergeant Felicia Low - Director, DVERT - Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team, Colorado Springs Police Department

Sgt. Blake has served with CSPD since 1989 initially as a Marshal, she became a sworn officer on December 12, 1991. Sgt. Blake spent 10 years working the night shift in patrol at the Gold Hill Division, and was then a Master Patrol Officer for 3 years.  She was assigned to Research and Development Unit where she conducted legislative analysis, and researched various projects for the command staff.  She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2004 and is currently assigned to DVERT, the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team.  Felicia serves on the conference staff as the Registration Committee chairperson and has taken a leadership role in the  RMWLE Committee.   In 2003, Felicia received an award for Business Woman of the Year for her work on the first year's conference!   In her off time, she loves to go riding on her 1993 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster.  She is the Treasurer for the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.  Felicia is sure there are other women out there who also ride, but for now, she is the only woman in her chapter...   

Mary Macklem, Executive Secretary to the Chief of Police, Pueblo Police Department

Mary Macklem began her career at the Police Department in 1972.  Some of the sections or positions she has had the pleasure of serving in include the Records Section, Planning and Research Section, and Crime Analysis Unit before moving into the Administrative Office of the Chief of Police.  Some of Mary’s responsibilities include budgeting and accounting functions for the department and all grants the department receives.  She has worked for 6 different Chiefs of Police during her career.  She was chosen as the National Secretaries Association Secretary of the Year for Pueblo and currently serves as the secretary for the Southern Colorado Law Enforcement Association.  She is a member of the Junior League of Pueblo and has been proud to serve on the committee for the Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement Conference.  

Sergeant Candace Mullins - Lone Tree Police Department

Sergeant Mullins grew up in an era when little girls were forbidden to dream of becoming Police Officers. She has spent the last 30 years helping pioneer women into Law Enforcement.  The various units she has had the pleasure of serving on include, the Mountain Bike Unit, Mounted Horse Unit, Parks, DEA Task Force, Detective, and Sergeant.  Currently she is assigned as a Patrol Sergeant for the City Of Lone Tree. Her responsibilities include supervising the patrol units assigned to Park Meadows Mall substation and overseeing the Police Department Mountain Bike Unit. In south Denver the Lone Tree Department formed in January 2005.  She has been honored with a Distinguished Service Medal, Lifesaving Medal, two Department Commendations, Colorado Police Women of the Year, and nominated twice for Deputy of the Year.  She's proud of being part of the RMWLE Committee since inception. During her off duty time she enjoys weightlifting and spending time with her four daughters and grandchildren.   Three of her daughters are police officers in the Denver Metro area. 

Lieutenant Lari Sevene- El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Lieutenant Lari Sevene started her career with the EPSO in 1996.  Her initial assignment was on Floor Security at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center where she remained for over five years. She had the opportunity to cross train in the Inmate Classification Section and also assisted with the American Correctional Association process from 2000 to 2001.  After seeing the Sheriff’s Office achieved accreditation, Lari was transferred to the Intake and Release Section and was assigned to swing shift.  She was promoted to sergeant on April 15, 2003.  She was the sergeant overseeing Floor Security and Intake/Release for the midnight shift.  In March of 2004, Lari was transferred to Internal Affairs where she was assigned for three years.  Lari was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on March 30, 2007.  Lari was assigned as the swing shift watch commander at the Criminal Justice Center until August 2007 when she was transferred to her current position as the Public Information Officer.  Lari is married to Corey, her husband of almost nine years who is a sergeant in the Patrol Division of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office; they have two children, a boy and a girl.

Sergeant Tammy Twombly - Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

Sgt Tammy Twombly joined the Arapahoe Sheriff's Office in 1994.   Prior to joining Arapahoe Sheriff's Office, Sgt Twombly served in the U.S. Marine Corp as an Intel Specialist. and has served in Detentions, Patrol, Investigations, Special Investigations and a Supervisor for a Plain Clothes Impact Unit. Sgt Twombly served on the Special Response Unit (SWAT) for five years and though she has since left the team, she was the only female team member at the time and still is/was the only female team member!  She is currently a Supervisor for investigations and is a 2008 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.   Her hobbies are reading, hiking and camping. The committee depends on her as the Treasurer of the Conference.

Detective Shelli Vahlbusch – Investigations- Pueblo Police Department

Detective Shelli Vahlbusch is in her 15th year with the Pueblo Police Department.  Shelli has worked in the Patrol Division, Vice and Violent Crime Unit, Crimes Against Persons Unit and is currently assigned to the Special Victims Unit.  Shelli has been a firearms instructor for 5 years and enjoys shooting in her spare time.  Shelli has her Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology/Criminology and is ready to graduate in May 2008 with her Masters Degree in Criminal Justice.  In her off time, Shelli enjoys vacationing with her police officer husband Scott to any location that has a beach and a lot of sun.  Shelli also takes advantage of Colorado's sunny days by riding her 1990 FXR Harley Davidson Motorcycle as much as possible.

Sgt. Jeanette Whitney- El Paso County Sheriff's Office

Sergeant Jeanette Whitney has been with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Since May 4, 1992.  She was promoted to Sergeant in 1996. She was promoted to Sergeant in 1996.  She was transferred to the Support Services bureau and assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit from 1999 through 2003.  In April 2003, she was assigned to the Inmate Services Section.  From 2007to the present she has been assigned as the Public Information Officer.  She is a native of Colorado and was presented the Cinco De Mayo Inc Law Enforcement Officer Award in 2007.  She has an Associates of Applied Sciences in Criminal Justice from Pueblo Community College. Currently she is attending the Colorado State University at Pueblo (USC) in pursuit of a Bachelors Degree in Sociology/Criminology.

Lieutenant Marge Zani - Intake and Classification Unit, El Paso County Sheriff's Office

Lieutenant Zani started her career with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in 1987, working in the detentions setting of the Metro Facility and the newer Criminal Justice Center in Colorado Springs, CO.   She was eventually transferred to the Court and Transport Unit and later promoted to the rank of sergeant being transferred back to the detention setting.  After a few years on the midnight shift, Marge was again transferred to the Court and Transport Unit.   After a short stint, she was assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit where she was later promoted to lieutenant and spent a few more years.  Marge presently oversees the Intake and Classification unit. Marge and her husband have four children and four grandchildren.