Despite her doubters, Norris excels as officer
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Lisa Norris joined the police force at 19. At that age, she was a very different person than most know today. She was very shy.
“No one thought I was capable of doing this,” said Norris referring to police training. “When my training started, I almost agreed with them. I wondered what I had gotten myself into. The thought I couldn’t do it and that others felt the same, made me even more determined to prove I could.”
Through all the bruises and doubt, Norris did make it. During her graduation ceremony, family members got to see what she had endured to come as far as she had.
“I remember my dad telling me there was no way I could have lifted something that heavy,” said Norris. “An officer told him that if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be graduating. I think that helped change his mind.”
Once her family understood she was capable of being a police officer, the endeavor turned to showing fellow officers of her abilities.
“The first time someone resisted being arrested and I didn’t turn and run,” said Norris, “that’s when they knew I was serious and I was going to make it.”
Being a female police officer has its own obstacles.
“People treat me different than they would a male police officer,” said Norris. “Males I pull over will call me sweetie or honey. I ask them if they would call a male officer that and when they say no, that pretty much ends that.”
Norris has a strict policy when it comes to dealing with the public.
“I treat people with as much respect as they show me,” she said. “I think most people appreciate that. I’m not out there looking for trouble, but I can handle it when it happens.”
Norris knows how most people feel about her and she admits that in the beginning it seemed to bother her but not anymore.
“In the beginning it did bother me,” said Norris about people’s perception of her. “People think I’m mean but I’m not. If I give someone a ticket for doing something and then you do it too, I have to give you a ticket. It doesn’t bother me if you’re friends with me or a family member. I’m going to give you a ticket regardless. That’s only fair.”
In regards to the rumors that she gives tickets for going one or two miles over the speed limit, Norris says that just isn’t true.
“I’ve heard that before,” said Norris. “If someone tells you I gave them a ticket for going one or two over the speed limit, ask to see the ticket. Of course people are going to complain because no one likes to get a ticket. There’s no quota I have to meet that would compel me to give a ticket for one or two over.”
Norris has been protecting McMinnville for nine years.