A Centre County woman is making history as the first female officer to ever work for the Spring Township Police Department.

The department’s chief hopes the hire will be positive for the community.

Officer Lara Hannegan joins seven other full-time officers with the Spring Township Police Department. She spent 12 years as a detective in the Savannah, Georgia police violent crimes unit and most recently served as an officer with Penn State Police.

Hannegan said she’s excited to become more involved in her hometown community and wants to be a role model for girls.

“I think the biggest goal for me is to simply make a difference,” she said. “I’m hoping that all of the little girls in the community will hopefully see me as a role model and know that they can achieve that same goal.”

Spring Township’s Chief of Police said he’s excited to see how Officer Hannegan will help to expand the department’s ability to assist residents.

“It shows the community that we’re willing to go outside the norm of just constantly hiring men when females can do the job just as well as male officers,” Chief Michael Danneker said. “I think that’s important. I think it’s important for the community to see that. I think it’s important for young people to see that.”