LINCOLN- After a months-long nationwide search that saw a field of 31 applicants winnowed down to one nominee, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird on Monday announced Teresa Ewins as the city's next police chief. A 55-year-old commander and the highest-ranking LGBTQ officer with the San Francisco Police Department, Ewins was the only one of four finalists who had never before pursued the top job at a major police department.

Facing a room full of reporters, Gaylor Baird called Ewins "a historic choice" for the Lincoln Police Department, which has been led exclusively by men since 1870. If approved by the City Council, Ewins would take her new position Aug. 30, at which point she would be the first woman and first openly LGBTQ person to lead the department in its 151-year history.

"When we set out on this process, we were looking for the best person to lead the department, and we found the best person to lead the department," Gaylor Baird said. "And she happens to be a woman. And I'm really proud of that."

The significance of the moment wasn't lost on Ewins, either. Appearing at the press conference by Zoom, the incoming chief reflected on what her selection meant to both her and the changing law enforcement landscape.

"You know, being the first is really — it's amazing," she said. "I mean, women have 50% of the population, and, in law enforcement, for chiefs, I think 1% are chiefs of police. Women have really added to moving to the profession forward in general, and it's really great to be recognized as the best to take on this role.

"And so I'm really hoping to really show that women can lead and be just as good as anyone else. And hopefully one day, in the future, we don't even have to have this conversation of male versus female. It's just the best person and most qualified person."

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