The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is proud of the hardworking women who serve and protect our citizens daily. In honor of Women's History Month, we are featuring Major Jennifer Love who is the second female in PCSO history to reach the rank of major. She was recently promoted and her first assignment is commander of the Support Services Bureau. Below, she shares her thoughts on Women's History Month, female leadership in law enforcement, and what it takes to reach your dreams.
How has your background shaped you into the person you are today?
I grew up as the youngest of three girls in a suburb outside of Rochester, New York. My father worked, and my mother spent most of her time taking us to sports practices and games. I was very involved in athletics. I played softball, soccer, and ran track through college. Being a member of a team at an early age taught me how to contribute to a common goal and work together. It also taught me to have a strong work ethic. Nothing is going to be handed to you; you have to work hard.
Why did you decide to serve in law enforcement?
I grew up around my uncle who was a law enforcement officer for a small department in New York. He would share stories with me when I was young, and I knew this was something I wanted to pursue.
What motivated you to increase in rank?
I came to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office in 1999 after spending three years as a state trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol. I was seeking diversity in the law enforcement field and more opportunities. As a deputy, I took full advantage of the ability to transfer between areas, and I gained a broader knowledge of the agency. I gained experience as a patrol deputy, field training officer, school resource officer, Crimes Against Children Unit detective, and DUI Unit deputy. When I served in the Training Division, I learned how to mentor and teach recruits. From there, I learned how to do the same in a squad of deputies, and I felt the desire to be promoted to sergeant. As a sergeant, I interacted with many different levels of command and received insight into different management and leadership styles. I took parts of what I liked and incorporated them into my own style. At this point in my career as major, I feel I have developed the ability to recognize members' strengths and deficiencies to build them into the best employees they can be to meet their full potential.
What is your home life like, and what do you like to do for fun?
My husband Daniel also works at the sheriff's office and is a sergeant in the Administrative Investigation Division. We have two dogs, and we enjoy going to the beach, paddleboarding, cycling, working out at the gym, and boating in our free time. To stay physically and mentally healthy, one of my favorite things to do is listen to music and go for a long run to disconnect from everything. I enjoy long-distance running, and I have completed several half-marathons. Since COVID-19 has affected road races, I am looking forward to starting training again.
Please share a word of wisdom with women based on your personal life experience.
Serve your community with integrity and strength. Take pride in your accomplishments, and don't let anyone hold you back from your goals. If you are seeking a specific position and you don't get selected on your first attempt, use it to your advantage. Learn from it and perform better in the future with the knowledge you have gained.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge for women today, and how do you think this can be overcome?
Women are doing incredible and exciting things today that we never thought were possible, even as few as 20 years ago. I see many amazing women just starting their careers. They have a strong drive and desire to become successful. As long as they believe in themselves, they are capable of doing anything they put their minds to.
