Top Woman of the Year
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Patricia L. Blake |
Ms. Blake joined the Los Angeles Police Departmment (LAPD) in May of 1983. Her career as a sworn LAPD officer spanned almost 34 years. She was promoted through the ranks and held the positions of acting and assistant detective commanding officer, patrol watch commander, and acting patrol commanding officer. She was part of a leadership team at the Foothill Division that focused on crime analysis, developing crime strategies, and implementing cutting edge predictive policing.
Upon retirement, Ms. Blake continued as an active reserve officer as the officer in charge of a unique mounted volunteer cavalry unit, the Valley Community Cavalry Rough Riders (VCCRR). This cavalry unit was deployed in local parks, trails, and business malls throughout the city. The unit’s mission includes public outreach, crime prevention, education, mounted color guard for parades, evacuation, and search and rescue efforts. The unit enhances good will and a partnership between police and the local community.
Ms. Blake earned a B.A. from CSUN, a M.A. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, and she completed the West Point Leadership Course with the LAPD in 2003. She was an affiliate of the Los Angeles Women Police Officer and Associates and the California Peace Officers Association. Ms. Blake became one of two of the first female field patrol field training officers at the Rampart Division. She was also the first female senior lead officer at the same division in 1989. She received the Officer of the Year award at Rampart, and earned a Meritorious Unit Citiation at the Wilshire Division as the officer in charge of a hand chosen special problems unit. She participated over ten times in the annual international law enforcement 120-mile Baker-to-Vegas team relay run. Recently, Ms. Blake wrote a factual book documenting her career and real life police work with the LAPD entitled "Touched by the Hand of God in the City of Angels." In her spare time she enjoys church activities, racquetball, horseback riding, and jogging.