http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm

19 January 2020

COOGAN story appearing in "Denver Post" 
(06 JAN 1999, PAGE B-03):


COOGAN NEW DEPUTY CHIEF
"I think I heard glass ceiling crack" 

Marilyn Robinson Denver Post Staff Writer 

[Photo] 
"The Denver Post/Hyoung Chang Denver Police Division Chief Heather 
Coogan on Tuesday was named the department's new deputy chief, 
becoming the highest-ranking woman in Denver Police Department 
history."


Heather Coogan is 5 feet 4 inches tall, but she's standing a little 
taller today after she was named deputy chief of the Denver Police 
Department.

Coogan, 44, will be the highest-ranking woman in department history.

"I think I just heard the glass ceiling crack," Coogan said of her 
appointment Tuesday. "When reality comes, it's a shock."

Coogan, a 23-year police veteran, has been chief of the technology 
and support division for the past two years. As division chief, she 
has been responsible for technology and computer systems, the 911 
call center, all police facilities, the fleet and the police academy.

"This is it," she said. "This is what I always wanted. I always 
wanted to be a division chief. Only the last couple of years has 
deputy chief become a goal."

That's because there was no deputy chief's job until the last couple 
of years.

But Coogan says she doesn't aspire to higher rank.

"My goal is just to be successful in this job. It's a pretty big 
job," she said.

As deputy chief, she will continue to work on technology, planning 
and Y2K problems. She also will take over managing the budget for 
the 1,400-member police department.

"I'm a really good fit for what I do. I'm a round peg in a round 
hole," she said.

But in 1978 when she was named "outstanding officer of the year" by 
the International Footprint Association for talking an armed robbery 
suspect into surrendering, she had a different answer. Then 23, she 
told a Denver Post reporter she wouldn't turn down the chief's job 
if it were offered.

Coogan started in law enforcement as a cadet when she was 18. She 
grew up in a north Denver housing project and wanted to be a concert 
pianist, but there was no money for college when she graduated from 
Marycrest High School. Then an officer told her about the police 
cadet program that would allow her to go to college and work as a 
cadet. She signed up.

"I fell in love with (police work), and I stayed," she said.

After 2 1/2 years as a cadet, she joined the police department as an 
officer in 1976. While working her way through the ranks, she earned 
a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in 
communications from the University of Colorado.

She often speaks at the national level on women in policing and 
how to cope as a woman in a largely male field of work.

"There are women accomplishing things everywhere," she said. "But this 
is the very first time I've been first. There have always been women 
before me."

Coogan will be one of two deputy chiefs, the second-highest rank in 
the department. Police Chief Tom Sanchez picked her for the job.

She has been married for 10 years to former Denver Police Chief Tom 
Coogan, now director of parole for the Colorado Department of 
Corrections. The two began dating while he was police chief, and he 
resigned after their relationship became public.

She is the mother of two daughters, Meg, 18, a freshman at Fort Lewis 
College, and Cat, 16, a sophomore at Heritage High School.

"They're really proud and excited. Tom is proud and excited, too," 
she said.

Capt. Steve Allison will be promoted at the same time. The 25-year 
veteran will succeed Coogan as division chief.