Interview of Norma Walker by Fern Hunt
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Date
2022
Authors
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Publisher
Ohio State University Archives
Abstract
Norma Walker describes her role as the first woman hired as a police officer by the Ohio State Department of Public Safety. She was hired in 1962 after serving as a Columbus police officer for several years. However, even though she was hired as a police officer, she was assigned a number of clerical duties, including payroll, that other male officers did not have to handle. Walker soon developed a niche in promoting safety on campus for staff and students, including presentations on theft and rape prevention. She shares her perspective on the student demonstrations the late 1960s and in 1970; she discusses police training trends in the 1970s that negatively affected the careers of older police officers, including her; and she recounts her experiences in competitive shooting tournaments throughout her career. She also reflects on how she drew on her faith and social support system during tense interactions with other staff and with the public, and she recalls fond memories, such as the Halloween parties funded by Ohio State police officers to provide children living in Buckeye Village with treats and toys.
Description
Interview conducted at Fern Hunt's home.