Diane Obbema
Author, Speaker, Detective (Ret.)

1985 - 2015

Patrol 1985

Women on patrol was a rare thing in 1985. I loved the double-takes citizens would give when I arrived on scene or did a traffic stop. I can't count the number of times I was called "Sir". It was great to win people over through professional, caring, and effective service.

DARE 1990-1995

I was selected to pioneer the DARE program in Jeffco schools in 1990. I loved teaching elementary students! Here I am standing in front of a "Thank You" poster from a 1st grade class.

DARE 1990-1995

I taught lessons from kindergarten to 6th grade in over a dozen elementary schools. Here an enthusiastic 2nd grader responds to my question. What a joy to see children learning!

Distinguished Service Medal

I was the first on scene of an apartment complex fire that had engulfed the lower level. I forced open locked doors on two upper levels and entered smoked filled apartments to remove occupants to safety.

Meeting Officers in Italy

Officers have kindred spirits no matter where in the world they are. It's a shared understanding of the risks involved in serving and protecting our communities. Here I am in Florence, Italy.

My Trading Card for Children

Kids like to collect these cards. These are great conversation starters. My safety tip on the back says: "Don't keep quiet about someone hurting you. Tell someone you trust."

Working with Firefighters

Here I am helping secure wildfire areas so that firefighters can work putting out hot spots and citizens remain a safe distance away from danger. It is great to team with others in a crisis.

Safety Fairs

Community events gave me opportunity to discuss safety with citizens and answer their questions.

Managing Sex Offenders

A newspaper wrote an article on how our agency managed the registration of sex offenders. After interviewing me, they took this photo which appeared on the front page. The photos behind me are of child abusers and molesters I had arrested and sent to prison. I called it the Wall of Shame.

Employee of the Year

I was honored for managing the agency's sex offender registry; establishing the first website identifying the location offenders in the county; and for conducting community notification meetings on sexually violent predators being released into the county from prison.