2026 Annual Women in Blue Ceremony Honored Three Employees

The Phoenix Police Foundation, alongside the Phoenix Police Department, hosted the ninth annual Women in Blue event on Sept. 10, recognizing the women whose dedication and leadership strengthen the Phoenix Police Department and the communities it serves. Each year, the event highlights employees who demonstrate exceptional professionalism and a commitment to advancing women in law enforcement.

This year’s event honored three Phoenix Police Department employees with awards recognizing their work exemplifying the department’s mission and values.

Thelda Williams Up-and-Comer Award

Crystal Rowley received the Thelda Williams Up-and-Comer Award. Named after former Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams, who spent more than three decades in Phoenix government, the award is presented to a female employee who is new to law enforcement and has shown exceptional job performance, leadership skills and great promise early in her career.

“She's does an incredible job of capturing information on multiple platforms that she's working with and she's able to disseminate that to officers in the field and to detectives in a way that I think is the model for what a real-time operation seal should be,” Lieutenant Scott Cain said about Rowley.

Rowley has served with the department for more than eight years and currently works as a real-time operations specialist at the Cactus Park Precinct. She began her career in Phoenix Police Communications, where she spent five years and served as a trainer before helping launch one of the department’s first Real Time Operations Centers at the Desert Horizon Precinct. Since then, she has helped develop processes, strengthen training and mentor new specialists while supporting officers with critical real-time intelligence. Her leadership, initiative and commitment to her team have made a lasting impact on the department.

View a special highlight video of Crystal Rowley

Service Behind the Badge Award

The Police Foundation presented Jessica Davis with the Service Behind the Badge Award. The award recognizes an employee whose behind-the-scenes work significantly supports the department’s mission. It is given to those who show exceptional dedication and professionalism, helping ensure officers have the resources needed to serve the community effectively.

“Jessica is an indispensable part of the Phoenix Police Department and we're very lucky to have her,” said Homicide Lieutenant James Hester.

Davis has served the City of Phoenix for 24 years, including 22 years with the Phoenix Police Department. She works as an Administrative Assistant II and National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) Supervisor within the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit. During her career, she has supported homicide investigations, coordinated equipment and advanced crime gun intelligence efforts. She helped transform Phoenix’s NIBIN program from a three-person operation into one of the highest-volume and most respected Crime Gun Intelligence Centers in the nation. Today, she is recognized as a national subject matter expert who helps agencies across the country strengthen crime gun intelligence and investigative programs.

View a special highlight video of Jessica Davis

Elevating Women in Law Enforcement Award

Police Commander Aimee Smith received the Elevating Women in Law Enforcement Award for her dedication to mentoring and opening doors for the next generation of female leaders. This award recognizes an employee who actively supports and promotes women in law enforcement. Through mentorship, leadership, professional excellence or community involvement, nominees help create opportunities for women to grow, lead and succeed in the profession.

“They always say get a profession and a job that doesn't feel like you're having to go to your job, and I think 29 years back that's exactly where I'm at,” said Commander Smith. “It was and is a calling and it's something that I've always felt a passion for.”

Commander Smith has spent 29 years serving in the Phoenix Police Department. Now one of the department’s senior commanders, she leads the Property Crimes Bureau within the Investigations Division. Her impact extends well beyond her assignments. For more than a decade, she has taught at Rio Salado College, helping prepare future professionals, and she serves on the national board of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, where she works to develop future leaders and expand opportunities for women in policing. Throughout her career, she has intentionally supported the women coming behind her, opening doors, mentoring others and creating space for the next generation of leaders.

View a special highlight video of Commander Smith

To learn more about the Women in Blue event and the Phoenix Police Foundation visit phoenixpolicefoundation.org.