WOMAN OF THE YEAR

member photo

Patricia L. Blake

Narrative: 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.

Title: Police Lieutenant
Industry: Government
Type of Organization: Police Department
Major Product/Service: Providing law enforcement services
Expertise: Ms. Blake is currently retired. She has over 33 years experience. She was an Acting/Assistant Detective Commanding Officer and Acting Patrol Watch Commander. Ms. Blake was responsible for crime analysis, crime strategies and cutting edge predictive policing within the Foothill area. She has continued to work with the department as a Reserve Officer in Charge of the unique mounted Valley Community Cavalry Rough Riders. Ms. Blake recently wrote a factual book about her career with the L.A.P.D.
Geographic Area of Distribution: Los Angeles, California
Affiliations: Los Angeles Women Police Officer's Association
University/Degree: B.A., California State University of Northridge; M.A., Organizational Leadership, University of Phoenix; Completed West Point Leadership Course, L.A. Police Department, 2003
Born: Oregon
Hobbies/Sports: Church activities, racquetball, horseback riding, jogging
Work History: Ms. Blake worked field patrol in the Rampart Area from 1984 through 1993. She was part of a hand-chosen Special Problems Unit in the Wilshire Area in 1993. As a Sergeant, Ms. Blake was assigned the OIC of a Gang CRASH Unit at the Van Nuys Division from 1995 through 1999. She was assigned as a staff researcher for the Chief of Police in 2000 and an Internal Affairs Unit Researcher prior to promotion of Lieutenant in 2005.
Honors & Awards: First female Senior Lead Officer, Rampart Area, 1989; Officer of the Year, Rampart Area; Meritorious Unit Citation for Officer in Charge of hand chosen Special Problems Unit, Wilshire Area; Participant in the annual international law enforcement "Baker-to-Vegas" 120 mile relay run, 10 times
Published Works: 1 book, "Touched by the Hand of God in the City of Angels" ISBN# 978-1-63961-246-8
Career Accomplishments: Lt. Blake is the Officer in Charge of and is heavily involved with the LAPD Community Cavalry Rough Rider (CCRR) volunteer horse and rider unit. This is a unique citywide program that works hand-in-hand with local sworn cadre personnel. The CCRR has proven to be invaluable representatives of "good will" and public outreach, particularly with local children who have embraced the program and look forward to interacting with both the riders and their horses. They conduct search and rescue, park, dam and trail patrol, evacuation and emergency preparedness, high visibility "observe and report" theft prevention in the bigger parking lots, Color Guard presentation and parades.