b'A BetLaunches a CareerNow Sally Reaves makes historyBY ELLEN DONKERSergeant Reaves was sworn in at the South Orange Police Sta-tion but recreated the moment when family and friends could be present for her celebration at Orange Lawn Tennis Club. Her husband is pictured at her side. Photo by Malcolm Clark.S ally Reaves is not one to turn down aone day but the entire six-plus months of rigorousficer Reaves, now Sergeant Reaves, will continue to challenge. Her friend Paulette, a cor- training. Upon graduating, Reaves launched her lawlive up to the ideals expressed in our mission state-rections officer, found that out first- enforcement career with the Orange Police.mentP.R.O.U.D.professional, righteous, out-hand when in 2003 she bet ReavesReflecting on that decision, she says, You have $1,000thatshewouldntlastoneto build your career, your future, your pensions and day at the Police Academy. They hadyou have to say, Okayweve got to get a founda-beendiscussingReavesnextcareertion wherethis is it. This is where Im going to move, away from healthcare, and Paulette encour- retire. Reaves adds, This is probably the best deci-aged her to take the civil service test, pointing outsion in my life, besides marrying my husband.that the Orange Police were hiring. In2007,ReavesmovedtotheSouthOrange After Reaves passed the test with flying colors,Police Department so she could connect better in she thought long and hard about whether law en- a smaller community. She quickly became a valued forcement was the right fit for her and if she was upmember of the force. And now Reaves has made his-to the demanding academic and physical training attory: On June 14 she became the first woman in the the Police Academy. But it was also a chance to proveSouth Orange Police Department to be promoted Paulette wrong.to supervisor. In the end, Reaves figured the timing was right:Speaking at her promotion ceremony, which in- L to R: South Orange Acting Police Chief Stephen Do-she was 35, the last year she was eligible to attendcluded village trustees, colleagues, friends and fam- linac, South Orange Village President Sheena Collum, Sergeant Sally Reaves and retired South Orange Police the academy. So she signed up and lasted not justily, Acting Police Chief Stephen Dolinac said, Of- Chief Kyle Kroll. Photo by Malcolm Clark.feature story/43'