TV

A Quickie with Virginia Awkward

As Trish mentioned earlier this week, TLC’s new season of their series, Police Women, will feature an out officer with the Memphis Police Department named Virginia Awkward. Yes, she knows her name is funny. She also knows how to take down a perp and wears a gun, so if you want to make a wisecrack, make it a good one.

Actually, Virginia can be as good-natured as she can be tough as nails. She even understands that suspects will do an occasional double take – when responding to a call, she says, “Before they even get into it, they see my name tag, it’s like, ‘Are you serious? Your name is Awkward?'”

I don’t know. She seems more like the opposite of awkward, if you ask me.

Officer Awkward is one of four female officers that will be tailed over 12 episodes of Police Women of Memphis this summer. She took some time out of her very busy schedule to talk to us about being on the job, being out and being married.

AfterEllen: Did you always want to be a police officer?

Virginia Awkward: My father is a retired lieutenant from the Memphis Fire Department and I’ve always admired his career. I knew that I would be in the public servant profession, but I wasn’t sure in what capacity.

AE: Why did you want to be a part of a reality show like Police Women of Memphis?

VA: I wanted to show that policewomen are a big part of the professional police workforce. I also feel that female officers are as productive and effective as their male counterparts are.

AE: They are! Was it hard getting use to being followed around by a camera crew?

VA: We are always in the public eye, so having to be the followed around wasn’t a big deal.

AE: Memphis is often mentioned on lists of the most dangerous cities in the US. Does your wife, Ashley, ever fear for your safety?

VA: My partner indeed fears for my safety, but she is also well aware that I’m careful and [use] caution. She says she feels confident knowing that my co-workers are there to back me up.

AE: Ashley is a former pro basketball player. What is she doing these days?

VA: She’s currently working at her alma mater, Ole Miss, as an administrative assistant on the women’s basketball staff.

AE: As an out lesbian, do you encounter any problems on the job from fellow officers?

VA: When I first came on the Memphis Police Department and the word got out that I was a lesbian, a lot of people didn’t believe it. Everyone said, “Oh, you’re too pretty to be a lesbian,” as if lesbians are unattractive. I always felt like the statement was crazy.

I have never experienced any problems on the department because of my sexuality. I like to believe that my personality speaks for itself and that it is the more important of the two.

AE: During all your time on the job, have you ever had to shoot at someone?

VA: No, I have never had to shoot at someone.

AE: That’s good. I hope you never have to. You see a lot in the line of duty. What’s the best or most outrageous excuse/lie/story you’ve ever heard from a suspect?

VA: It’s really hilarious when a suspect says, “No officer, I don’t do drugs – I just smoke weed.”

AE: That is hilarious. Then again, I’m high. I’m kidding. Any other good ones?

VA: I also get a kick out of it when someone says, “No Mama, I don’t have any narcotics or contraband on me, but there’s a [marijuana] blunt in my right pocket.”

AE: Awesome. Real life is better than fiction. Speaking of, who’s your favorite female TV or movie cop?

VA: I loved Michelle Rodriguez in SWAT, from 2003. She is a beautiful brave woman, but when she transforms into the character, Chris Sanchez, she is sexy and fearless. I love it!

AE: You’re not alone there. Do chicks “dig the uniform”?

VA: My wife “digs” my uniform and that’s really all that matters.

AE: I’ve never been to Memphis but I love barbeque. What’s the best place for barbeque in Memphis?

VA: I love A&R Bar-Be-Que on Elvis Presley Boulevard.

AE: I love that it’s on a street called Elvis Presley Boulevard. I’m in!

VA: By the way, they have awesome caramel cake!

You can catch Virginia and her fellow female officers tonight when Police Women of Memphis premieres on TLC, at 9PM, ET/PT.

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