Pleasanton police lieutenant presented with 2017 Trail Blazer Award

The California Peace Officers Association recently presented Pleasanton Police Department Lt. Maria Munayer with the 2017 Trail Blazer Award.

The award recognizes a California woman — sworn or non-sworn — who has enhanced the visibility and stature of women in law enforcement through their work.

Munayer accepted the award at the Annual Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Conference held in conjunction with the California Police Chiefs Association.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition and feel inspired to continue serving the Pleasanton community alongside the dedicated men and women of the Pleasanton Police Department,” Munayer said in a statement.

Munayer was the first woman to hold a command staff position in Pleasanton’s 123-year history and the first female SWAT operator for the department.

“She leads committees charged with strategic planning and has developed expertise in the unchartered waters of branding police organizations,” a statement from the department reads. “She is a sought-after mentor and coach in her organization and focuses much of her efforts on staff development and succession planning.

“She is an inspiration and positive influence, not only for those within her organization, but to the law enforcement profession as a whole,” officials added.

Outside of the Pleasanton Police Department, Munayer devotes much of her time giving back to local communities and ones abroad. She is the founder of The Bridgewatch Angels, where she trains and mobilizes hundreds of volunteers during every major holiday to deter suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge. She has also traveled to East Africa where she delivered hundreds of books and school supplies to children of Kenya.

Munayer has served in law enforcement for 23 years, working for the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office in addition to the Pleasanton Police Department.

She holds a master’s degree in leadership from St. Mary’s College.