WAILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Joy Medeiros can often be found helping the youth, or setting aside one-on-one time to train police recruits, or giving one of her empowering speeches.
“She is the hardest working officer I’ve ever met. Everything she does, she does with excellence,” said Maui Police Commission Chair Stacey Moniz.
Those are just some of many reasons Medeiros is now Maui Police Department’s newest assistant chief, the highest-ranking woman in the Maui Police Department’s history.
“I’m honored and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as an assistant chief. It’s both exciting but humbling to take on this level of responsibility. I’m just really looking forward to supporting our officers, our community, as we continue to move the department forward,” Medeiros said.
Medeiros started her career in 2005 as a Wailuku patrol officer.
She was honored as Maui County’s Officer of the Year in 2010 and recognized as the Maui Police Department’s Woman of Excellence in 2018.
“I’m proud to represent progress, and I hope I can continue to pave the way for others that aspire to serve. However, I remind myself that leadership, it’s a privilege, and it’s one that is built on trust, integrity, and accountability,” said Medeiros.
Moniz said her latest milestone marks a new day for Maui County.
“We’ve seen, and I dare say with this chief, in the last four years, more women being promoted. We had the first ever female police chief of staff, Chris Bonacorsi,” she said. “We have a female PIO. We have women in leadership on Molokai, (police Capt.) Jamie Winfrey.”
Moniz said the achievement can be used as a recruiting tool as the department strives to fill 85 vacant sworn positions.
“I really believe that women make excellent police officers. We bring a different energy to this work,” Moniz said.
“I can see myself continuing to contribute to the growth of this department from mentoring future leaders to improving and building community partnerships and really just supporting initiatives that continue to make Maui a safer place for everyone,” said Medeiros.
The new AC has this message for all females:
“Leadership isn’t about gender. From patrol to command, there’s a place for women in every part of our profession, and all professions for that matter. Be confident, be inquisitive, be brave enough to take your place in spaces where others haven’t gone.”
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