DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) -- The Derby Police Department has a new firearms instructor, Lieutenant Trisha Duren. She is the department's first female in that role. "Being a female instructor, I just think that I can provide a nurturing training environment, whereas before, it's very military-style training that we've been able to provide before," Lt. Duren said. Lt. Duren says this opportunity isn't common. "It's somewhat rare," Lt. Duren said. "It's just not something that I think a lot of female officers just see themselves doing. I certainly never saw myself doing anything like this, nor did I really have the confidence to think that I would be able to do something like that. But as our agency is progressing, my career is progressing, it's time for me to start thinking about the newer officers and training them to take over when I'm done in my career." Lt. Duren says she struggled at first to qualify for her firearm. "I've been with the department for 18 years now and have progressed with my firearm proficiency, and I wanted to provide our department maybe a different type of instruction on the firing range that we have been able to offer previously," Lt. Duren said. She feels very supported by her team and hopes that her leadership will bring more success in the field and safety to Derby. "The goal in training is success, and success for our agency looks like covering patrol, covering the streets the way our city needs to be covered," Lt. Duren said. "And the more bodies that we have successfully complete that training, the more help we have. And then it's also going to provide that environment that we can create retention in our agency. With our agency, we're a pretty elite group of people. We only want to hire the best. I believe Derby offers the best, and if we can provide that training environment that people are comfortable in, then it's just going to add to that retention for our agency." For anyone interested in law enforcement, Lt. Duren encourages people to do a ride-along and learn more. "We have an astronomically high number of women in our agency where about a quarter of our agency is women," Lt. Duren said. "We love seeing women apply interested in law enforcement, and the goal would be to see more of that, of course." 82-year-old woman sews Barbie clothes for Operation Christmas Child The first female captain for the Derby PD is Karensa Schiffel. Lt. Duren says she is humbled to be the first female firearms instructor. "I'm very excited to provide this for our agency and possibly pave the way for others that want to follow in those footsteps," Lt. Duren said. If you would like to nominate a person or business for Positive Connections, fill out KSN’s online contact form.