Lancaster County’s First Woman Police Chief Joins York College Faculty

Dr. Lisa Layden, a 2007 alumnus, transitions from a nearly 30-year career in law enforcement to a full-time role in the Criminology and Criminal Justice program.

Lisa Layden, Ph.D., who joined York College of Pennsylvania’s Criminology and Criminal Justice program as full-time faculty this semester, knew the world of domestic violence and housing insecurity well when she chose to work in the field of policing. She grew up in what she terms a dysfunctional family and had seen how difficult situations can quickly take a turn for the worse when not effectively addressed. 

As she considered a career path, she wanted to find a way to help families through those challenges. She joined a York County police department in 1996 after completing Harrisburg Area Community College’s Police Academy in 1995. When several departments joined to form the Southwestern Regional Police Department in 2002, she served it in various capacities for the next 17 years, including roles as a criminal investigation and crime-prevention department supervisor, lead investigator for major crimes, primary Internal Affairs investigator, and the patrol and supervisors training officer. 

Education through her work

She rose through the ranks, gaining recognition as a skilled investigator, a dedicated supervisor, and a staunch advocate for professionalism in policing. During her tenure as detective sergeant, she led crime investigations, oversaw such investigations, and served as an expert witness in child abuse cases. She was named Officer of the Year three times. 

Shortly after Southwestern Regional was formed, Dr. Layden learned it had a tuition reimbursement program. She could return to college as a nontraditional student to earn her bachelor’s degree. She was the first in her family to attend college and receive a diploma.

“I was inspired by my boss at the time, who really valued education,” she says. “My son was born when I was barely 19 years old, so I didn’t get a chance to go when I was younger.”

With two children at home and a demanding job in policing, Dr. Layden enrolled in York College of Pennsylvania’s Criminology and Criminal Justice program and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2007. She immediately enrolled at Penn State University and earned her Master of Public Administration degree in 2010. 

“When I went to York College, my goal was to get a real, reputable degree. I wanted to be an example for my sons. I wanted them to go to college,” Dr. Layden says. 

A new opportunity born from loss

In 2019, as Southwestern Regional was being disbanded, she was unsure what to do next. She had begun working on her dissertation to complete a Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

Her research focused on factors that influence women to get into and stay in policing. She wanted to better understand what attracts women to the profession and what they experience when they get there: the hiring process, the academy experience, and the reasons many leave the field before retirement. She knew she couldn’t just leave policing at this point in her career and her education. 

Dr. Layden soon found a position in Lancaster County as chief of the West Hempfield Township Police Department. She made history as the first woman to lead a police force in Lancaster County — a role that brought unique struggles. 

“I always tell women this when they come on this job: You’re never going to be one of the boys. You’re always going to be a woman,” she says. “But being chief of police is literally juggling a thousand balls. As a woman, you feel like if you screw up, you’ll be looked at as a woman first. But I wouldn’t say that ever held me back.” 

Despite the pressures of the position, Dr. Layden remained committed to maintaining high standards in her department. Recruitment, training, and officer development were deeply important to her.

“I take it very personally that I’ve gotten to hire and promote people that I feel are doing policing right,” she says. 

Training the next generation

As York College ushers in the 2024-25 academic year, Dr. Layden is returning to her alma mater as a full-time professor with a wealth of experience, ready to inspire and educate the next generation of criminal justice professionals. She spent three semesters teaching as an adjunct professor at the College. Her full-time role will allow her to delve deeper into curriculum development, expanded class offerings, and student engagement. 

Looking back on her time as a York College student, Dr. Layden credits the institution with broadening her perspective on the criminal justice system and sparking her desire to continue her education. As she shifts from law enforcement to academia, she is eager to bring her real-world experience into the classroom, connecting theory to practice. She hopes to offer students a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice that goes beyond textbooks, no matter what type of career they hope to pursue within that system.

“I want to understand what the students are interested in, how they like to learn, and different ways to get into the material,” she says. 

As she begins a new chapter in her rich career, Dr. Layden will encourage her students to complete their degrees despite any difficulties they might face. 

“I absolutely always recommend a college education,” she says. “It’s going to increase your options for a career path. Even if a degree isn’t required, it’s going to matter to get promoted or to specialize.”