DATE: Wednesday, September 10, 1997         TAG: 9709100545

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   52 lines

SUFFOLK'S FIRST 2 FEMALE POLICE SUPERVISORS NAMED

Deborah J. George, the first woman and first detective to be named the city's top police officer, will make another mark this week in Suffolk history.

This time, she will share honors with another detective as they return to uniform as the department's first female supervisors.

George and Stephanie R. Burch are being promoted along with four male officers.

The women also have other similarities. Both are 30. Both are married, both are mothers.

They will be sworn in Friday as sergeants, each assigned to a patrol section and working under a lieutenant.

The promotions, effective Sept. 16, will leave the 12-person detective bureau short-handed, at least temporarily. Victor Pisani, the department's former training officer and a detective for just over a year, is being named a sergeant and also will supervise a patrol section.

``I'm losing a lot of experience,'' said Lt. W.M. Bunker, head of the detective bureau.

Pisani and George have been in investigative squads, while Burch has been assigned to the family services unit. All three have worked on a variety of investigations, including homicide and robbery, Bunker said.

``All three of them will be a big help to the very young officers in the uniform patrol division,'' he said. ``Whatever part they play will be nothing but a plus.''

George, a Suffolk native and 10-year police veteran, was highly praised by her supervisors when she was named Police Officer of the Year for 1996, earlier this year. She was the lead investigator for several recent, high-profile murder cases, including the December knife slaying of a bookstore clerk.

George, known for her meticulous attention to detail, quickly concluded the case and made two arrests the next day.

Burch, a Newport News native and former social worker, has taken classes in handling domestic violence cases. Her experience and interest in domestic violence also would be a bonus for the uniform services division, Bunker said.

Also being promoted are Dean Smith, a patrolman who will become a sergeant, and sergeants John Blakeney and Kyle Holmes, who will become lieutenants.

Blakeney will remain in the support services division. Holmes will head the community services section, supervising community police and D.A.R.E. officers, the public safety marine patrol and school resource officers and guards. MEMO: DETAILS

The promotional ceremony will be held in City Council chambers at 1 p.m.

Friday.

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