Pennsylvania State Police Captain to be Recognized for Achievements in the 2016 Women of Influence Awards

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania State Police is pleased to announce that Captain Kristal M. Turner-Childs has been named a recipient of the 2016 Women of Influence award. Captain Turner-Childs was selected as one of the top nominees by the judges for her leadership and achievements within the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as her contributions to the community.

"I want to congratulate Capt. Turner-Childs on winning this award – she is making history within the state police as a trailblazer and someone who other women will follow," said State Police Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker.  "I am very proud of her accomplishments and the solid leadership style she brings to the state police -- she is a mentor to others and is certainly a role model for many."

The Women of Influence awards recognizes 25 women leaders in the Midstate who are influential in their companies, industries and communities and have solid reputations based on their experience, integrity, leadership and accomplishments. 

"It was an easy decision to nominate Kristal for the 2016 Women of Influence Award," said Ruth Koup.  "Capt. Turner-Childs is a trailblazer for all women in the very masculine world of law enforcement.  She has had a stellar career within the state police working her way up from trooper to captain in her 18-year career – and now she is the Commander of Troop L, Reading, holding the honor of being the highest ranking African American female officer in the state police," added Ms. Koup.

Capt. Kristal M. Turner-Childs, a native of Davie County, North Carolina, enlisted in the state police in 1998.  She is a graduate of Harrisburg High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Elizabethtown College. 

Capt. Turner-Childs is engaged with the community as the current president of the Harrisburg chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.  Her leadership has helped the organization to become involved with other nonprofits, support community programs and provide professional development, mentoring and scholarship fundraising to help local students.

As an award winner, Capt. Turner-Childs will be recognized at an event on Friday, June 24 at the Hilton Harrisburg, as well as in a publication to be inserted in the July 1 issue of the Central Penn Business Journal.

For more information about the Women of Influence Awards or to register to attend the awards luncheon, visit www.CPBJ.com/events or contact Jill Caldwell at [email protected] or 717-236-4300.

For more information about the Pennsylvania State Police, visit their website at www.psp.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Maria A. Finn, 717-783-5556

SOURCE Pennsylvania State Police