Marybeth Cole Role Model

MARTINSBURGäEveryday, Cpl. Marybeth Cole is âbalancing two worldsã as a police officer and mother to four girls.

âI wouldnát have it any other way,ã Cole said about balancing her âlifetime careerã and family. â(My girls) know I love it. I couldnát see myself doing anything else.ã

A veteran officer, with nine years of service, of the Martinsburg City Police Department, Cole was awarded officer of the month in October for her leadership.

â(Cole) leads by example, setting high standards of hardwork, productivity and enthusiasm for the job,ã according to the officer of the month press release.

Lieutenant Mike Usack, Coleás shift commander, said that she is very deserving of the award.

âMarybeth Cole is a very positive person and genuinely

There is no reason to be scared of us.ã

Cole said officers have created a âtight knitã police family where all of their kids are friends.

Having all daughters, Cole said it is important to be a positive role model to them through this career and, âteach them right from wrong, and there are consequences if you take the wrong path in life

For Cole, she said there is a difference being a female police officer. For example, when it comes to a domestic call when there are children involved.

âI am more the one that would be looked too maybe console them or tend to them where as the males may play a different role,ã she said.

Cole said victims sometimes request to talk to a female officer. Through mutual aids, Cole can be called by other agencies to talk to female victims if they request to talk to a female officer.

However, they essentially do the same job, Cole added.

âI go to the same calls that they go to,ã she said. âThey all, for the most part, treat me like one of the guys. ... I think with dealing with the public though, I donát see a difference in how I am treated. I think I get respected just the