Madison Reporter

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin college students participated in an interactive training session with police mentors as part of the University of Wisconsin Women in Criminal Justice Mentoring Program. The initiative aims to empower women entering the criminal justice industry.

Originating at UW-Platteville, the program has expanded to other campuses within the UW System. It pairs college students with mentors from various law enforcement agencies in the state, including the Madison Police Department (MPD).

“Without the guidance of a mentor and someone who empowered me to join a predominantly male-dominated field … I would not be in the position I am in today,” said MPD Officer Grace Mueller.

Officer Mueller joined MPD in 2020 and is currently assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Section. She also serves as a mentor.

“Being a mentor means that I get to cultivate relationships with young women and invest my time and energy into shaping these students to bring the best parts of themselves to their future careers,” Mueller stated.

Approximately 20 students from UW-Platteville visited MPD’s Training Center last month. They met their mentors and engaged in three sessions: tactical training, crime scene processing, and a virtual reality active shooter simulation.

“It’s been really fun. Being able to make connections with them and learn more about what it’s like being a woman in the criminal justice field,” said UW-Platteville student Isabelle Varga.

This year, the Women in Criminal Justice Mentoring Program paired 36 mentors with 51 students, including six mentors from MPD.

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