Gang unit gaining its first female chief

The Salt Lake County sheriff's office today is expected to announce Teri Sommers will become the head of the Metro Gang Unit.

For Sommers, it's another position she can add to her already impressive resume following nearly 23 years with the sheriff's office. For the gang unit, she will be the first-ever female commander.

"It's a great thing. It's an excellent opportunity to step into the task force," she said.

Sommers replaces Del Craig, who was named in August as the new police chief for the Taylorsville Police Department.

Sommers started her career at the sheriff's office working at the Salt Lake County Jail. She moved up the ranks working in the patrol division, investigations and administration. During that time, she worked with the domestic violence unit, sex crimes unit and taught defensive tactics.

In addition to her duties with the sheriff's office, Sommers was deployed for two years in Colorado and Texas training and validating National Guard troops heading overseas.

"She has a very impressive personal background," said Taylorsville Police Sgt. Rosie Rivera, a former member of the gang unit. "She is a very good manager. To manage something like that I think is a great opportunity. And I think it's great to see a female move up."

Sommers admitted there is some pride being the first woman in that position.

"You wonder, 'Am I opening any doors for anyone else?"' she said.

But Sommers also quickly noted that her being a woman "wasn't a contributing factor to my selection."

Sommers doesn't expect to make too many changes to the gang unit, which already has a very successful Public Enemy No. 1 program.

"I want to build on the successes of my predecessors. I don't foresee too many changes," she said.

One area she would like to improve on, however, is rebuilding the gang unit's program that deals with serious habitual youth offenders. In addition, she is working to get a statewide gang database up and running that agencies across Utah can use.

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