I am an African American woman, a veteran of the Washington State Patrol, and the Executive Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. I probably look very good on paper. The irony is that for the same reasons I look good on paper I am discounted in real life. No one in the Washington State Patrol believed that Monica Alexander (née Hunter), an African American single mother, would be a state trooper for long. She proved them wrong, using their doubt as fuel and knowing that one day she would share her story, a tale of truth and change in law enforcement—and life. In Justice, Peace, and the Future of the Police, Monica reflects on her journey and reveals what it means—and takes—to overcome obstacles. You'll learn about trust, how it starts within, and why tenacity, discipline, and empathy are vital. Whether you're a leader in law enforcement, an officer focused on the future, or a mother making dreams come true for yourself and your children, this is the invaluable story of how to build bridges that seem impossible and become the mentor someone may not know they need.

I am an African American woman, a veteran of the Washington State Patrol, and the Executive Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. I probably look very good on paper. The irony is that for the same reasons I look good on paper I am discounted in real life. No one in the Washington State Patrol believed that Monica Alexander (née Hunter), an African American single mother, would be a state trooper for long. She proved them wrong, using their doubt as fuel and knowing that one day she would share her story, a tale of truth and change in law enforcement—and life. In Justice, Peace, and the Future of the Police, Monica reflects on her journey and reveals what it means—and takes—to overcome obstacles. You'll learn about trust, how it starts within, and why tenacity, discipline, and empathy are vital. Whether you're a leader in law enforcement, an officer focused on the future, or a mother making dreams come true for yourself and your children, this is the invaluable story of how to build bridges that seem impossible and become the mentor someone may not know they need.

Monica Alexander is the Executive Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and a retired Captain with the Washington State Patrol, beginning her career as a trooper cadet. With an extensive career, Monica was a traffic reporter for KOMO-TV and served as the captain and legislative liaison of the Office of Government and Media Relations, assisting in the passing of wage increase legislation and sexual assault kit funding, among other initiatives. Monica is the first African American woman promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, and captain in the history of the WSP.