Jacki Minicola has spent her 27-year career as a Durham regional police officer demonstrating the impact a leader can have with or without a title. Her coworkers and supervisors say her positive energy is infectious, producing an environment in which everyone feels included. Her commitment to help, guide and support those within her sphere of influence is evident in their collective efforts and results. Minicola takes on challenges with courage, poise and vision, which ensures that others have the support and confidence they need to succeed.
Minicola spent 16 years as a uniform patrol officer in Oshawa, Ontario, before specializing in domestic violence, where she shared the task of implementing the Domestic Violence Bail Unit. She then fulfilled a two-year teaching assignment in the School of Justice and Emergency Services at Durham College, educating students in the police foundations program.
After her teaching assignment, Minicola was promoted to the position of detective, then detective sergeant, which enabled her to pursue her passion of advocating for victims of domestic violence and launch the Domestic Violence Investigative Unit.
Minicola is currently acting inspector in charge of the Durham Regional Police Service Major Crime Unit. Proud of her work in this role, she says, “It is an honor to have the Service display faith in my leadership ability and allow me to stretch my wings in such a significant position.”
She recalls thinking her greatest obstacle was not being treated as an equal in a male-dominated field. “Now I realize the biggest obstacle was my own perspective. I had to let go of the need to always try and prove my worth. I’ve learned to recognize the value of my own individuality,” Minicola observes.
Minicola sites one of her favorite books Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff, by Richard Carlson. In it he explains that the less compelled you are to try to prove yourself to others, the easier it is to feel peaceful inside. He goes on to say that people are drawn to those with a quiet inner confidence. “I would suggest that this message of genuine humility is essential to true success,” she concludes.
