Noreen Skagen

Noreen T. Skagen (May 24, 1930 – August 25, 2017) was an American law enforcement officer and pioneer for women in policing. Over a three-decade career with the Seattle Police Department (SPD), she became its first female assistant chief of police. In 1989, she was appointed U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Washington, the first woman in that role for the district.

Early life and education Noreen Teresa Salvino was born and raised in Seattle, Washington in an Italian-American family. She graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington in 1952.

Career Seattle Police Department Skagen joined the SPD in 1959, initially assigned to the Women’s Bureau, which focused on juvenile, domestic, and social welfare cases and excluded women from patrol and promotion. She and her colleagues frequently worked alone in challenging conditions, investigating child neglect and abuse cases in impoverished neighborhoods. These cases were often grim—Skagen recalled rescuing children in severe distress and working under circumstances where societal awareness of child abuse was limited. “A lot of people accused us of doing social work,” she said, “but we made a lot of arrests.”

In 1973, SPD opened promotional exams to women. Skagen scored in the top 25 percent and advanced steadily through the ranks—from sergeant to lieutenant, then captain, major, and finally assistant chief in 1981. She emphasized fairness and approachability, personally visiting every district under her command and inviting open communication. Early skepticism from male officers gave way to respect after she demonstrated integrity and competence.

Although a strong advocate for women in policing, Skagen expressed skepticism toward affirmative action initiatives during her tenure, particularly when first introduced. She maintained that her promotions, and those of her female colleagues, had been earned without preferential policies and believed that such measures risked undermining women's perceived legitimacy. “We didn’t want to be a part of affirmative action,” she said, adding that they trusted the department to promote fairly. Nonetheless, she actively mentored women throughout her career and encouraged them to succeed without compromising their individuality. “You don’t have to walk like a man and talk like a man... You don’t have to change your values in order to belong here,” she advised.

U.S. Marshal Service In 1989, Skagen was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Washington. She served until 1994. She also chaired the Seattle Public Safety Civil Service Commission.