In the Chicago Police Department, legacies are carried forward through generations of service.
For retired Deputy Chief Noreen Walker, her legacy continues through her daughter, Lieutenant Nichelle Fraction, and granddaughter, Field Training Officer Kristen Martin.
Deputy Chief Walker made history as the first Black female deputy chief at the Chicago Police Department. Breaking both racial and gender barriers, Deputy Chief Walker demonstrated that leadership in policing isn’t defined by physical stature; it’s the strength of your voice.
“Police work is giving direction and instruction with your voice,” Deputy Chief Walker said. “It’s not all about physical strength. Our job is to get people to do as we ask without having to fight.”
Deputy Chief Walker succeeded in this leadership position, where she gained access to rooms that no other black woman had before. Her proudest career accomplishment wasn’t her own though—it was the achievements of those under her command.
“What I’m most proud of are the people who were able to move up the ladder and do better,” Deputy Chief Walker said. “It’s never really about you. It’s about the people you bring behind you. You’re only as good as the people who work with you.”
That philosophy carried forward to her daughter, Lt. Fraction, who now leads officers in the 6th District.
Lt. Fraction emphasized the human side of policing in her role, something she credits to both her background in social work and the example set by her mother.
“The fulfillment [in policing] doesn’t come from the enforcement aspect of the job, but from the relationships and connections,” Lt. Fraction said.
Lt. Fraction recalled one encounter from early in her career that remains especially meaningful. She was off duty, dressed in plain clothes at a gas station, when a woman approached her. The woman shared that Lt. Fraction had stopped her several times years ago and each time offered her the same advice: make better choices.
The woman ultimately thanked Lt. Fraction and acknowledged the positive impact their interactions had on her life.
“That I felt was always my responsibility: to encourage people to do better,” Lt. Fraction said.
Deputy Chief Walker said she knew well before Lt. Fraction took the police exam that her daughter was built for a career in policing. She said the mindset of wanting and encouraging others to do and be better reflects what policing is at its core.
That same commitment to service now extends into a third generation.
Deputy Chief Walker’s granddaughter and Lt. Fraction’s niece, Field Training Officer Kristen Martin, is continuing the family legacy within the Chicago Police Department. Assigned to the 11th District, Martin has served for more than eight years and now plays a critical role shaping the next generation of officers as a Field Training Officer.
Together, their stories represent more than a shared profession. They reflect a generational commitment to service, leadership and strengthening the bond between police and community.
“I hope we [CPD] continue to thrive and build a more cohesive relationship with the community because it is a partnership,” Lt. Fraction said. “Many times, they refer to us versus them, but we are all the community.”
