Beyond the Badge

Officer Zena Dailey on the job

By Sarah Kittle

In West Bloomfield, Michigan, a city home to one of the largest Chaldean populations in the country, Officer Zena Dailey occupies a unique position. She is the only female Chaldean police officer in the city, navigating a profession that is still growing in diversity while representing both her community and women in law enforcement. Her story is one of dedication, service, and the quiet but powerful impact of representation.

Dailey’s journey into law enforcement began at age 20. Fresh out of community college and armed with an associate’s degree, she enrolled in the police academy, driven by a desire for excitement, purpose, and the ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. At that point, she couldn’t even legally purchase a firearm because of her age.

“I wanted to help people,” she recalls. “Even if I could impact just one person’s life, that mattered to me.” At the time, she hadn’t known anyone in law enforcement personally. “I didn’t really have a role model,” she says. “It was just this feeling I had at the end of my senior year: this is what I wanted to do.”

Her first assignment was in Pontiac, where she served for nearly three years before the department began layoffs and eventually disbanded. “I wanted to help support my mom and my family,” she recalls.  “And I didn’t want a desk job.”

From there, she worked part-time in Clarkston before moving to West Bloomfield, where she has spent the last 17 years building a career defined by service and community engagement. Today, she serves as the department’s community relations officer, a role that allows her to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the residents they serve.

Dailey describes her position as a “catch-all” role, one that involves attending community events, visiting schools, running youth programs, and helping residents navigate interactions with law enforcement. “I love this role because I get to connect with people before there’s an emergency,” she explains. “Usually, people see us in a crisis, and it’s not always positive. Here, I can show that we are approachable, safe, and here to serve.”

Her Chaldean heritage plays a subtle but meaningful role in her work. While she primarily speaks Arabic rather than Chaldean, she has been able to assist in situations where language and cultural understanding are critical. “I can pick up on nuances in a home or at a hospital that others might miss,” she explains. “It helps me ensure people are heard and treated fairly.”

Being the only female Chaldean officer comes with both challenges and rewards. “Representation matters,” Dailey emphasizes. She understands that young Chaldean girls in the community see her as a symbol of what is possible, someone who has broken through barriers in a profession that has long been male dominated. She also takes pride in mentoring younger officers, including Miranda Diaowd, a fellow Chaldean who worked in West Bloomfield and now serves in Sterling Heights.

“When Miranda started, I felt like a big sister to her,” Dailey says. “I wanted to share what I’ve learned, guide her through challenges, and help her thrive in a career that isn’t always easy for women.”

Dailey’s path has not been without obstacles. Balancing law enforcement with motherhood was an early concern when she was pregnant with her first child. Even though she was on light duty, she started to question her career path. “I remember thinking, ‘I can’t be a police officer and a mom. This isn’t going to work,’” she says.

But after four months at home with her newborn, she returned to work, determined to embrace both roles. Today, she is the mother of three: a 15-year-old, a 13-year-old, and a 7-year-old, all of whom understand and support the demands of her job. She emphasizes that managing a family alongside a career in law enforcement requires planning, flexibility, and the ability to compartmentalize; however, it is entirely possible.

“My kids understand, and they worry,” Dailey says, “But I try to keep things even at home and I don’t talk about work very much.”

Her commitment to service extends beyond her immediate duties. Dailey is an advocate for youth engagement, running programs like the West Bloomfield Youth Academy, where teens aged 14 to 17 get hands-on exposure to law enforcement duties.

“It’s not about recruiting every kid to be a police officer,” she says. “It’s about helping them understand who we are, how we work, and that we’re here to serve the community.”

Through these programs, she hopes to cultivate trust, understanding, and a sense of civic responsibility among young residents.

Dailey’s upbringing has also shaped her approach to policing. Born in Oak Park and raised in Madison Heights and Sterling Heights, she grew up in a close-knit, sheltered Chaldean family. Her mother kept the household tight, focused on family values, faith, and community.

“We were very sheltered,” Dailey says. “I only knew my dad’s brothers and sisters. Beyond that, it was a small world, and I’m grateful for the strong foundation it gave me.” This upbringing instilled in her a sense of duty, respect, and empathy that she carries into every interaction with the public.

While she doesn’t rely explicitly on her cultural background in day-to-day decision-making, her understanding of Chaldean and Arabic-speaking households allows her to navigate delicate situations with sensitivity. She recounts instances where she has been able to mediate conflicts or ensure clear communication because of her cultural insight, whether at hospitals, homes, or community centers. “It’s a small thing sometimes,” she says, “but it can make a big difference.”

There are occasions where the person they are interacting with doesn’t recognize that she is Chaldean—Dailey is not a Chaldean surname. In those cases, “I just sit back and I just listen,” she says. “If it’s a domestic situation and the spouse doesn’t want the other one to talk, at least I can pick up on that and say, ‘Hey, we actually need to do something different here.’”

Dailey’s career has also been defined by moments of instinct and quick thinking. She recalls a call from 2016 where a seemingly ordinary car fire turned into a critical investigation. “Something didn’t feel right,” she remembers. “I went back to check and gathered information that later helped identify suspects in a serious crime. That’s the kind of thing that stays with you; how paying attention and acting decisively can change the outcome.”

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dailey emphasizes the importance of health and wellness. She works out five to six days a week, both for physical preparedness and mental clarity. “I need to be strong, not just for myself, but to protect others and to take care of my family,” she says. Her disciplined approach to fitness mirrors her approach to policing: intentional, focused, and committed.

Even as she balances a demanding career and family life, Dailey remains engaged in the Chaldean community. She attends cultural events, supports local initiatives, and appreciates the welcoming environment of West Bloomfield. “We like to help each other out,” she says. “We look out for each other.”

Her connection to the community reinforces her belief that law enforcement is not just about enforcement—it’s about building trust, offering guidance, and being a visible, supportive presence.

For young people in the community, Dailey has a clear message: “You do not have to be afraid of the police. We are here to serve, to guide, and to protect. Every department is different, but here in West Bloomfield, we truly care about our community.”

She also hopes her story inspires young Chaldean girls to consider careers in fields they may never have thought possible, whether in law enforcement, public service, or leadership.

Her mentorship of others, her connection to the community, and her ability to navigate a male-dominated profession make her a role model not just for Chaldean women, but for anyone striving to make a difference. In Zena Dailey, the West Bloomfield community sees a reflection of their values: resilience, empathy, and the quiet power of representation.

Her story reminds us that trailblazers don’t always make headlines. They build relationships, inspire others, and create pathways for those who follow. Officer Zena Dailey is doing all of that, every day, in service to the community.