S/Lt. Marla Gaskill
| Staff Lieutenant Marla Gaskill joined the Patrol in May 1989 as a member of the 118th Academy class. Due to an injury she withdrew from the Academy and worked as a Cadet Dispatcher for the New Philadelphia Post. She continued her training in January 1990 as a member of the 119th Academy class. She was commissioned that June and was assigned to the Wooster Post. In December 1995 she transferred to the Aviation Unit. Two years later she was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to the Norwalk Post. In June 1998 she transferred to the Delaware Post. She transferred to the Office of Human Resource Management – Administrative Investigation in August 2000. In January 2001 she was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and became the Post Commander of the Marysville Post. While at Marysville she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Capital University. In July 2006 she was promoted to the rank of staff lieutenant and transferred to the Office of Human Resource Management. S/Lt. Gaskill currently resides in Lewis Center. |
Prior
to the joining the Ohio State Highway Patrol, I worked as a licensed practical
nurse and attended college part-time. Even though I enjoyed my work, I
wanted to pursue my other interest, law enforcement. I considered opportunities
that were available within various law enforcement agencies before I decided
to join the Patrol, at 25 years of age.
I chose the Patrol for a variety of reasons including job security, health care benefits, opportunities to pursue a variety of interests within the Patrol, equal promotional opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and the ability to transfer to different Patrol posts throughout the state, if I wanted.
Even though the training at the Academy was physically and mentally demanding, I knew I would be prepared to perform my duties as a state trooper. In addition to the daily responsibilities of traffic enforcement and crash investigations, I enjoyed the opportunity to speak to high school students and local community organizations.
During my time as a trooper, I obtained my private pilot’s license. I never thought I would be able to combine my love of flying with my job, but I did. I transferred to the aviation section and became for the first female trooper/pilot for the Patrol. I accepted a promotion to sergeant and transferred to a Patrol post.
As a sergeant, I was responsible for the day to day operations on a shift, while working both the afternoon and midnight shifts. I enjoyed the opportunity to help fellow troopers pursue their careers, make decisions as a supervisor, and develop my leadership abilities.
I mentioned earlier the opportunities available to transfer and since I was always searching for ways to continue my professional development, I transferred to the administrative investigation unit (commonly known as internal affairs) as a sergeant. I was later promoted to a lieutenant and transferred to a Patrol post as the post commander. Being a post commander was the most rewarding, and at the same time, a very demanding position. I was recently promoted to staff lieutenant and am now the commander of the administrative investigations unit.
During my 17
years with the patrol I have taken advantage of the following training
opportunities:
• Temporary assignment as a 90-day investigator with the Office
of Investigative Services
• Technical crash investigator
• Radar and laser instructor
• Field training officer
• Administrative Officers Course – Southern Police Institute,
University of Louisville.
• Tuition reimbursement – presently enrolled in a MBA program
