For the first time, women command the PM and Fire Department of a capital city

Colonel Ana Paula Barros Habka is the new general commander of Military Police of the Federal District (PMDF) , with appointment in the Official Gazette of the DF this Tuesday (9). The then commander, Adão Teixeira, retired from the corporation.

With this order, the DF's two military security forces have, for the first time, women as commanders.

This is because the DF Fire Department is also commanded by a woman, Colonel Mônica Miranda, who took over last year.

The DF Public Security Secretary, Sandro Avelar, agreed on the appointment with the governor Ibaneis Rocha (MDB). A CNN he said that this is unprecedented throughout Brazil and he wants to inspire other states.

“The idea is to strengthen the fight against domestic crimes and violence against women. With women in charge, we expect even greater attention from corporations to achieve this goal,” the DF Secretary of Public Security, delegate Sandro Avelar, told CNN.

Historic

Colonel Ana Paula has already served as head of the Special Operations Battalion Company, was a Military Judge in the Military Audit of the Federal District and head of Security at the Vice-Governorship, of the Military House of the DF. On her CV, she accumulates medals and decorations such as the Alvorada Merit Medal; Federal District Public Safety Merit Medal; and the Peace in Traffic Merit Medal.

This is the second time that a woman has taken command of the PMDF. The first was Colonel Sheyla Sampaio, who held the role between January and August 2019.

Already in the Fire Department, Colonel Mônica entered the officer training course in 1993. Over her 30-year career, she obtained outstanding training, such as the Officer Improvement Course in Corporate Administration, a higher education course for officers and Public safety and LGBT course.

Colonel Mônica previously held the position of commander of the Military Firefighter Assistance Center, served on the CBMDF Education Directorate and CBMDF Fire Investigation Directorate. She was awarded the Dom Pedro II Medal and Order of Aeronautical Merit. Graduated in psychology, she is the first woman appointed general commander in the history of the Brazilian Fire Departments.