Lucy Moy-Bartosik seeks to attract more women to police force

CHICAGO (WLS) -- May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We'd like to introduce you to one of Chicago's finest, Chicago Police Department Commander Lucy Moy-Bartosik.

Not only did she break Chinese tradition and choose a career against her parents' expectations, she now wants more Asian women to follow in her footsteps.

"On the day I graduated from the police academy, in the gymnasium, my mom said to me, 'Are you sure you want this job? It's really dangerous,'" said Moy-Bartosik.

Lucy Moy-Bartosik, the child of Chinese immigrants, was expected to grow up and become a teacher. Instead, Lucy became a cop. She thinks it's because she grew up holding her own against three rambunctious brothers, then umpiring a park district softball league with police officers on the teams.

"They were daring me, I have to do it. You dare me, I do it," said Moy-Bartosik.

Lucy aced the police exam, graduated from the police academy.

"It was hard for me because I never shot a weapon before," said Moy-Bartosik.

Over the years, she went from beat cop, to detective, to the CAPS program, to sergeant, to lieutenant, to commander of the 20th District. She's now the highest ranking Asian woman in the force, commander of CAPS, the patrol division.

Her goal now is to bring more women, including Asian women, into the department.

"I would say this is one of the best careers a woman can have at this time," said Moy-Bartosik. "Probably to the parents I'd say, we give you a lot of training. We teach you how to be safe. We want you to go home safe and in one piece. It's a great career. It's a wonderful opportunity for your daughter to go on this job."

Linda Yu will have much more about commander Moy-Bartosik in our special program, Asian Influences. It airs Saturday, May 17 at 6 p.m.