ST. LOUIS — A major change is underway at the FBI St. Louis field office where for the first time in history there is a female special agent in charge.
Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson isn't your typical leader at FBI St. Louis.
She worked for years as a parole officer, and saw the other side of policing, long before she became the first female leader of the St. Louis Field Office.
After 17 years on the job, including postings in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington D.C., SAC. Ashley Johnson has learned one thing.
“The mission is always the same to protect people and uphold the constitution,” Johnson said.
However, Johnson’s new position as the first ever female Special Agent in Charge of FBI St. Louis comes with a little added pressure.
“Being the first female of course there's a responsibility to hold the position itself, but it's very humbling to understand the impact that may have for other young women,” Johnson said. “Even other employees here see that there is no limit to where you can go."
Though she’s new to the St. Louis area, Johnson says the city’s problems are no secret.
“Violent crime is an issue,” Johnson said.
Recently that has manifested itself in the form of threats against local schools.
“Anything that kind of comes to the FBI’s table as a threat, or we see as a threat to this city or its citizens, we take very seriously and we prioritize,” Johnson said.
That includes violations of civil rights and hate crimes, which have been on the rise nationally since the Hamas attack on Israel.
“It’s very concerning to know that segments of our population are targeted simply for being who they are,” Johnson said. “We take that very seriously. Hate crimes are one of our top priorities.”
As the Special Agent in Charge, Johnson wants to be proactive rather than reactive to issues impacting our community, but she admits she needs your help.
“When they see the FBI or hear the FBI there’s an expectation,” Johnson said. “I want people to feel safe and know that they’re safe.”