The Hazelwood Police Department is excited to introduce their newest team member, Domestic Violence/Adult Abuse Crime Victim Unit Coordinator, Devan Valenti. Before joining Hazelwood, Valenti worked for the O’Fallon Police Department from 2014 to 2020. Originally from Hazelwood, her family moved to St. Charles County when she was a young child. After graduating from Timberland High School in 2011, Valenti interned with the Hazelwood Police Department from 2012 to 2013.
Valenti’s passion for helping people is a family tradition – both her father and grandfather were officers for the St. Louis City Police Department – and her passion has grown since becoming an officer and working with victims of domestic violence.
Hazelwood is one of the very few departments that has a Domestic Violence Advocacy position and Valenti is excited to help victims. Since starting her new position, she has been busy doing ride-alongs, meeting officers, and studying up on policies and procedures and networking in-between helping the community. She is really excited about the opportunity to work with the people of Hazelwood.
One of Valenti’s goals in her position is to build community awareness of domestic violence. “I’m excited to work with the community in any capacity I can, may that be answering questions or helping them obtain orders of protection or even making a safe plan.” Valenti said. “I have a passion for helping those that need it most, including victims of domestic violence and children caught in those situations.”
When Devan is not working, she is busy with her family, including her husband and their 17 month old son. She also likes to cook, draw, bake, and go fishing.