Column: Newly-promoted Aurora police sergeant is all about uplifting others, especially young females

Chicago Tribune

13-03-2025

It would seem that Skyy Calice-McDowell's father had the right idea when he named his third daughter after she was born in 1990.
The newly-promoted sergeant with the Aurora Police Department – only the second Black woman in APD history to attain this rank – likes to not only aim high herself, but lift others, as well. At age 34, Calice-McDowell has been with the department for 12 years, but has already made a name for herself internationally for her work with young people.
As a member of Community Oriented Policing, she certainly saw the upside of engaging with kids. But it was while working at East Aurora High School as a resource officer from 2019-2023 that Calice-McDowell realized there was a 'gender issue that needed to be addressed.'
Too often, she recalled, 'young ladies had problems that required police intervention.'
Specifically she was talking about fights, especially at dismissal time. Or domestic violence situations. And there were too many young females hanging with the wrong crowd, aligning themselves with the 'bad boys' who thought nothing of 'leaving them holding the ball.'
Calice-McDowell decided to do something about it. She formed Girls Run the World Aurora, a nonprofit empowerment group at East Aurora High School that's been so successful there are also chapters at West Aurora and Yorkville high schools. And starting next year, there will also be expansions into the middle schools because, as the newly-promoted sergeant insists, it only makes sense.
'(School resource officers) are definitely noting problems starting at younger ages and we need to get to them in positive ways,' she said.
All this effort, by the way, earned Calice-McDowell 'Leader of the Year' honors from the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, both in 2019. And more recently, Calice-McDowell was recognized in 2022 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
For the new sergeant, it's all about 'motivating others to look at policing differently.' Which is what she hopes to bring to this new position.
Her mom was a longtime 911 dispatcher and her dad a police officer, both in Bellwood, where she lived with her family after moving from New Orleans as a baby. But her father, recently retired, did not want the daughter he named Skyy to go into law enforcement. In fact, she was all set to study prelaw at Bradley University when she switched majors because 'I realized I wanted to do something that would be of service to others.'
As a teen, this cop's daughter was well aware of the trust issue between her peers and law enforcement. And after doing plenty of research upon graduation, she knew exactly where she wanted to apply for a job to help bridge that gap.
Aurora, Calice-McDowell declared, 'was the only department I prayed about' joining.
A match made in heaven is how some might describe it.
'Through the generous support from the city, corporations and community partners, Calice-McDowell and her team have created an infrastructure to support, encourage and uplift young women in their personal and professional endeavors,' read the summary of her work with Girls Run the World Aurora after being named a recipient of the International Association of Chiefs of Police '40 under 40' award.
While the many kudos that have come her way are appreciated, Calice-McDowell admits she sometimes gets uncomfortable with so much recognition. But positive publicity is also good for the program, which she hopes will continue to expand.
Supported by the Aurora Police Department, Girls Run the World Aurora follows a 20-week curriculum on skills that include coping, conflict resolution, mentoring and leadership, and addresses topics like teen dating violence, bullying/cyber bullying, self-esteem and confidence issues. In addition, participants raise money for other charities and award scholarship money.
While motherhood – she and husband Eric McDowell welcomed daughter Saige 18 months ago – put some plans for the nonprofit 'on pause,' it did not interfere with her career path, thanks to encouragement from another trailblazer, recently-retired Liz Robinson-Chan, the Aurora Police Department's first Black sergeant, lieutenant and commander.
'I was hesitant about taking the sergeant exam' because the baby was only 4 weeks old, said Calice-McDowell. 'I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed but uncertain … Liz opened her arms like a mother to me.'
And the new sergeant hopes to provide that same kind of support to the newest generation of Aurora cops she now oversees. Her philosophy: To lift other officers the way she was embraced, which incudes encouraging new ideas and working together to bring them to fruition.
Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross uses Calice-McDowell – as well as recently promoted Lt. Lorena Hernandez – as examples of where 'hard work and perseverance can lead.' And in fact, he 'wouldn't be surprised' if either woman ended up sitting in his chair someday.
'Both are exceptional communicators with natural leadership abilities,' Cross added.
Calice-McDowell, of course, appreciates that vote of confidence and a vision of what could be. 'But to be honest, it really is God's plan for my life,' she said.
'The best place for me is to be in his hands. It's how I operate … it's my comfort place.'