Debbie had always wanted to be a police officer. She started with the Department at age 19 as a police support officer. She was not able to start with the Department as a patrol officer until 21. She started in patrol with Second Precinct. From Field Services she was transferred to the Organized Crime Vice Unit. After her service with Organized Crime she worked as a detective in the Violent Crimes Unit. She is currently assigned to Property Crimes with the Graffiti Team. Detective Allen says: “Just by talking with someone on the phone concerning a crime against them, then a while later they start talking about something personal, and you feel you have helped them simply by listening to them.”