Caroline Townsend: Senior Caroline Townsend is applying to be a dispatcher at the Prairie Village Police Department

Then-elementary-schooler Caroline Townsend would listen in amazement to her highway patrolman grandpa’s stories of who he pulled over that day or the newest evidence her detective uncle was analyzing for a case at family gatherings.

Now-senior Caroline will get to run the plates of cars like ones her grandpa pulled over or enter the data her uncle would use for his cases through her job as a dispatcher.

Inspired by her family members’ role in law enforcement, Caroline decided to apply to be a dispatcher at the Prairie Village Police Department after graduation. She plans to attend the University of Kansas to get a three-year-bachelor-degree in criminal justice while being a dispatcher. Caroline will be answering 911 calls along with running tags on pulled over cars, entering data on calls or activities, watching street light cameras and communicating with officers in her job as a dispatcher. 

“Growing up, my family’s life was really interesting to me,” Caroline said. “I’ve always thought, ‘I really want to do [law enforcement], I really hope I can.’”

The Student Resource Officers have also been incredibly influential and supportive for Caroline’s passion for law enforcement, according to Caroline’s dad William Townsend.

Whether it was simple conversations about their workdays that showed her the compassion people have in the field or the two encouraging her to apply, they helped push her towards a career in law-enforcement.

William always wanted one of his kids to follow in their family’s tradition of police force jobs. However, he had always thought it would be his son to follow the footsteps — not Caroline.

“I was kind of shocked [when she first told me],” William said. “I was also kind of worried for her personal being, but I’m gonna back her up 100% on what she wants to do.”

After receiving her bachelors she wants to join the police academy to become an officer and eventually work her way up to detective status — just like the ones that came before her.