Corporal Regan Porteous: A Trailblazer in Law

As the first woman on Lodi Police Department’s SWAT team, Cpl. Regan Porteous wants to normalize the success of females who push boundaries in the profession and set new standards of excellence. “I think that I just personally have a passion to want to work with people, not just the community but the people in our department.” she said,” I have a clear understanding of the vision our department wants to provide. If we invest in people and their mental health and their work-life balance, then we serve our community better.”

Regan said she would love to see more women in law enforcement, not to take away from what men have accomplished but as a welcome addition. “In reality, I think that women are exactly what this field needs,” she said. “It’s nice to see yourself represented.”

According to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, women make up less than 13 percent of full-time police officers in the United States even though they make up half of the population. The 30X30 Initiative, which aims to increase women in police recruit classes by 30 percent by 2030, cites studies that show women in law enforcement are key to de-escalating tense situations, are essential in communicating with female crime victims and are more easily able to gain trust with diverse cultural groups, among other contributions. 

Regan was only the third woman to complete the SWAT school she attended and hopes her success paves the path for more. “I have never met anyone quite so far along in terms of maturity as it relates to a law enforcement career,” her former supervisor, Lodi PD Lt. Michael Manetti, said of the young officer who has served six years on the force. “Her thought processes and understanding of police work and how it’s intertwined with all of society as well as individual communities is far beyond an officer of her tenure. She can always be counted on to help a fellow employee and has the ability to get along with everyone and anyone.”

She was a trailblazer even in high school, when the league MVP soccer player also served as a kicker on the Saint Mary’s varsity boys’ football team. She was sought out for the position after Saint Mary’s football coach, Tony Franks, said he watched her dominate in a powder puff football game and was impressed by her competitive attitude. “She’s tough as nails,” he said. “And she put points on the board for us.”

While at Saint Mary’s, she found a mentor in Kathy Smith, who was serving as dean at the time. “I didn’t come from a lot growing up. I was trying to stay there and applying for scholarships every year,” Regan said, remembering that year to year she didn’t know if she could afford to return. “It wasn’t where my comfort zone was and I think she noticed that and she kind of guided me a lot. The kindness and the grace she showed me, I can try to illuminate.”

Kathy Smith said she remembers Regan as one of the most caring and compassionate people she knows. “During her time in high school, she was always reaching out to help others in need, so it’s of no surprise to me that she has achieved such milestones in her career. She never questioned any challenge that came her way but saw it as an opportunity for growth.”

She would earn a soccer scholarship to play at CSU Monterey where, along with the demands of being a NCAA Division 2 athlete, she worked part time and earned a degree in psychology.

Regan’s motivation is about pushing herself to take on more training and experiences that will help her succeed in her job. “I don’t even see it as a male or female thing. If I think something seems like a challenge there is no gender for me,” she said, adding that she wants to eventually attend graduate school.

She was named Officer of the Year in May 2022. Lodi Police Chief Sierra Brucia cited her tireless work ethic along with her commitment to her coworkers and her community in announcing the honor. In addition to SWAT duties, she is currently training new officers. In her free time, she finds working out and spending time with people who “feed the soul” are key to alleviating stress. She puts her soccer skills to use on a coed team and loves to recharge on weekend getaways, such as a recent trip to Oregon.

To young girls who might look up to her and consider becoming an officer, Porteous urges them to go for it. “We need you, law enforcement needs you, our community needs you,” she said. “It’s a profession that may not always be easy but you would have a purpose.”

Written by: Jo Ann Kirby