Carmel police sergeant honored on National Policewoman Day 

Carmel Police Sgt. Michelle Yeager was recognized by the Public Employment Risk Management Association (PERMA) as part of National Policewoman Day, which was observed Saturday, Sept. 12. 

PERMA highlighted Yeager and the Carmel Police Department as part of the annual observance recognizing women serving in law enforcement. 

The Carmel Police Department thanked the organization for recognizing Yeager and used the occasion to also honor Sgts. Laura Whitten and Erin Macom, as well as other female police officers and sheriff’s deputies serving local communities. 

“Women and men in the police academy receive the same training but we learn from and offer different perspectives,” the department said in a statement shared by PERMA. “Women bring certain life experiences to the department that our male counterparts will never have.” 

The department said having those different perspectives and experiences represented within law enforcement helps create a more well-rounded police force, both internally and when officers respond to calls for service. 

Yeager said her decision to pursue a career in law enforcement was influenced in large part by her father, who served as a police officer for nearly 30 years. 

“I have always been extremely close to my dad,” Yeager said. “I was raised in a home where I was encouraged to learn life skills so I could be independent, think for myself and solve problems.” 

Those lessons ultimately helped steer her toward police work, she said. 

“I wanted to make a difference by using my critical thinking skills to be a problem solver for my community as a police officer and for the department as a patrol sergeant,” Yeager said. 

PERMA, the Public Employment Risk Management Association, is a nonprofit, member-owned organization that provides workers’ compensation coverage and workplace safety programs for local governments and other public entities. 

According to the organization, PERMA serves more than 125 police departments and districts across New York State and provides programs and support specifically tailored to law enforcement agencies.