In honor of National Police Woman Day, the Golden Valley Police Department will host a free public screening of the documentary Women in Blue on Saturday, Sept 13, 1 to 4 pm at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis. Following the screening, a panel of women in law enforcement will discuss their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future of policing. 

Here’s a look at the panelists: 

Captain Erin Dietz

Metro Transit Police Department

Captain Erin Dietz has served with the Metro Transit Police Department since 2009 and currently oversees the Support Services and Finance Division. Her responsibilities include business technology, asset protection, finance, and fleet operations. Dietz began her law enforcement career in 2005 with the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department in North Dakota before joining the Bismarck Police Department as a patrol officer. She later moved to Minnesota to join Metro Transit PD, where she has worked in roles including patrol, K-9, internal affairs, and professional standards. She previously held the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant in both patrol and investigations.

Special Guest: Dierdre Fishel

Director, Women in Blue

Deirdre Fishel’s films have premiered in competition at Sundance and SXSW and been broadcast in 35 countries worldwide. Her documentary Still Doing It: The Intimate Lives of Women Over 65 was also expanded into a book co-written with producer Diana Holtzberg. Recent projects include a web documentary Suicide On Campus, produced in conjunction with The New York Times Magazine. Deirdre was a directing fellow at the American Film Institute and is an Associate Professor of Media & Communication Arts at The City College of New York.

Commander Monica Hanson

Minneapolis Police Department

Commander Monica Hanson oversees the Minneapolis Police Department’s Procedural Justice Division, which includes recruitment, vulnerable populations outreach, the Community Service Officer program, the Chaplain Program, and the Police Activities League, among others. Hanson began her law enforcement career as a community service officer in 2008 and has served as a patrol officer, sex crimes investigator, and dignitary protection officer. She was promoted to sergeant in 2017 and commander in 2023. 

Emcee: Mayor Roslyn Harmon

Mayor Roslyn Harmon was elected to the Golden Valley City Council in 2023 and took officers in January 2024 as the City's first Black female mayor. She is the executive director at the Dispute Resolution Center in St Paul and serves as a certified spiritual healing coach, senior pastor, and certified couples coach. Harmon holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy/counseling from Adler Graduate School.

Officer Debora Ocloo

St. Cloud Police Department
President, Minnesota Association of Women Police

Officer Debora Ocloo has served with the St Cloud Police Department since 2016 and currently works on the department’s Community Response Team. She previously patrolled the community and served as a violent crimes investigator with the Campus Area Police Services unit. She holds a BS in Criminal Justice and an MA in Special Studies, with a focus on mental health, addictions, and law enforcement. She co-founded the Women of Worth mentorship program, which supports girls in grades 8–12. Since 2021, she has served on the board of the Minnesota Association of Women Police and is currently its president. 

Chief Pilar Stier

Le Sueur Police Department

Chief Pilar Stier leads the Le Sueur Police Department and brings a broad range of law enforcement experience, including her early career with the Minnesota State Patrol. There, she served as a field training officer, recruiter, academy staff officer, and instructor. In 2020, she was appointed to the Minnesota POST Board, where she helped raise standards for officer training and selection. Stier currently serves as Region 9 representative for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and sits on the MNLEAP Accreditation Board. In 2024, she was named Latina of the Year by the National Peace Officers Association. 

Community Service Officer Pa Vang

Golden Valley Police Department

CSO Pa Vang brings more than 20 years of customer service experience to her role with the Golden Valley Police Department, where she has served for nearly four years. Prior to joining GVPD, she worked in security at the University of Minnesota Riverside Hospital, where she developed skills in mental health support and crisis de-escalation. As a bilingual Hmong speaker, she plays a vital role in building trust and bridging communication gaps with residents. 

Host: Assistant Police Chief Alice White

Golden Valley Police Department  

Alice White serves as the Assistant Police Chief for the City of Golden Valley. She is a graduate of Minneapolis Public Schools and studied at Minneapolis Community College, Metropolitan State University, and St. Mary’s University. White began her law enforcement career with the Minneapolis Police Department, where she served for 17 years in roles such as patrol officer, business beat officer, PAL Program Manager, East African community liaison, and procedural justice trainer. Her community programs have earned recognition at local, national, and international levels. She joined the GVPD as the first Black female officer. She is the current president of the Minnesota Chapter of NOBLE and a founding member of the Minnesota National Black Police Officers Association. 

Sheriff Dawanna Witt

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Dawanna Witt is the elected sheriff of Hennepin County and has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, having served in both Dakota and Hennepin counties. She holds dual undergraduate degrees in chemical dependency and police science, and two master’s degrees in public safety administration and management. Sheriff Witt is also an adjunct professor at Inver Hills Community College, where she teaches courses on juvenile justice and corrections. Her leadership focuses on community connection, transparency, and modernizing public safety practices.