INDIANAPOLIS -- IMPD Deputy Chief Valerie Cunningham has been selected to serve as the next president of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the department announced Tuesday.
Cunningham, who currently serves as the deputy chief of administration, is the highest-ranking woman in the department and previously served as interim chief following the departure of former chief Troy Riggs in December 2016.
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NAWLEE was founded to help train women executives in law enforcement and to offer counsel to other law enforcement advisory bodies about best practices.
Prior to being selected as president, Cunningham served as first vice president of the organization.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead NAWLEE during the upcoming year,” Cunningham said in a written statement. “NAWLEE is an organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women who have dedicated their professional lives to public safety. It is now my turn to reach back and help younger officers achieve goals and advance their careers. I believe it is important for women to see women in leadership roles.”
Cunningham is a 25-year veteran of IMPD. Before her promotion to deputy chief of administration, she served for several years as IMPD’s night watch commander.
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