By Francis Scarcella
The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
MONTOURSVILLE, Pa. — Four hundred and fifty women serve in the Pennsylvania State Police, playing important and vital roles.
Twelve are lieutenants, six are captains and three are lieutenant captains, according to Communications Director Myles Snyder, who is stationed at department headquarters in Harrisburg.
There are 21 women stationed among the 250 troopers in Troop F — the region that includes Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties — protecting the safety and security of Pennsylvania’s residents.
They include Lt. Christine Fye, one of just two women leading criminal investigations in the region, troopers Sara Barrett and Jessica Naschke, both of the Milton barracks, and Lauren Lesher, of the Montoursville barracks. Naschke is an investigator in sex crimes. Barrett and Lesher are public information officers as part of their duties.
Fye is no stranger to law enforcement, working her way through the ranks and serving in various roles within the state police after dedicating 12 years to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, where she earned the rank of staff sergeant.
Fye said she sees growth opportunities for women in the state police, that those serving are doing a great job and she’s excited to see troopers publicizing the opportunities.
“It’s great to see this happening and to see we are out in schools and talking to children and young adults,” she said.
Fye was part of a women in law enforcement event held at Bloomsburg University last year. Shikellamy High School Police Chief Shawn Williams, a retired corporal in the state police, invited all of his law enforcement club female students to participate.
“I think it was great and so nice to see so many young people involved,” Fye said. “I think his (Williams) club is a great idea, and it shows a different aspect to what we do.”
Barrett and Lesher said the state police are continuing their community outreach efforts, planning several new events in 2025 to provide more interaction with the public.
“We continue to look forward to coming out and meeting with the community,” Barrett said.
All four women had simple messages for anyone, women and men, looking to become a trooper.
“You can do it,” Lesher said. “If this is something you want to do with your life, then push through.”
Naschke said the department offers various jobs in different units.
“There are so many different things you can do,” she said.
Barrett said she will often speak to younger people and tell them about her job, adding that she likes to see the interest in their eyes.
“I explain what we do and answer all questions,” she said. “It is amazing to see how many show interest in the state police.”
Fye said anyone looking to become a trooper and who graduates from the academy should continue to set new goals after they reach one.
“Just keep setting new ones,” she said. “Continue to push yourself and work toward the next goal.”
Snyder said he’s pleased to see the number of women among the ranks growing.
“I have met quite a few (of the women troopers) and even some from the first class in 1972,” Snyder said. “They all are an inspiration to so many other men and women.”
Barrett said when she attended the state police academy, she knew she would tough it out and live her dream of becoming a trooper.
“This is not just a job for males,” she said.
There are times when members of the public speak to female troopers with some disrespect, but it is rare, the four state troopers said.
“It may be an older generation thing, but there are times when we are called ‘hun,’ or ‘honey’ and we politely correct them,” Barrett said. “I’ve also been asked if I was a secretary.”
Lesher said she still jumps in and covers patrol shifts.
“I have no problem going out,” she said.
“This is a job where you can do everything,” Naschke said. “I love coming to work every day.”
Fye said the job takes all troopers away from their families on nights, weekends and holidays.
“When we get the call, we go,” Naschke said. “There are times it could be Christmas morning, but when the call comes, we go.”
Women have the same duties as male officers, but Naschke and Snyder said there are situations where being a woman has advantages.
“It can be easy to talk to a woman,” Naschke said. “Sometimes it’s just easier for a woman, or a man, to open up to a female. I’ve been at scenes where the male troopers say it is beneficial.”
Snyder added, “There are cases where a victim would feel more confident speaking to a woman. Putting myself in a victim’s shoes, it just tends to lend itself to what could be a less threatening image to that person speaking with a woman.”
Fye, Barrett, Naschke and Lesher said the 27 weeks they attended the state police academy were rough but worth it.
The troopers said they saw people drop out, and that just made them even more motivated to complete the program.
“I just embraced all of it, and made it through,” Barrett said.
Naschke agreed.
“There were times it was tougher than I had thought, but I wanted to be a trooper, and I pushed through,” she said.
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