Bel Air Police Department Celebrates First Female Supervisor

BEL AIR, MD — The Bel Air Police Department and the town of Bel Air announced what they called an "historic promotion" on Tuesday, Feb. 5. For the first time in its history — since 1874 — the town will have a woman in a supervisory role at the Bel Air Police Department.

Corporal Kayhla M. Hendren has been a member of the department since 2007. She began her career in law enforcement with the Baltimore Police Department in 2004, then transitioned to Bel Air.

Six years into her career in Bel Air, she was seriously injured. Hendren was hit by a car while she was directing traffic on Williams and Nichols streets as firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire on Nov. 20, 2013. She was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she was hospitalized for several days.

Afterward, Hendren underwent years of rehabilitation and surgery.

"The impact was so severe that it not only broke several bones, the impact also shattered Corporal Hendren’s firearm," according to a statement from the Bel Air Police Department. "There were many skeptics who thought she would never return to duty because of the severity of the injuries sustained."

As a result of the crash, Hendren reportedly suffered vision problems, a broken leg and torn ankle ligaments that required ongoing treatment.

"Amazingly, after three years of strenuous rehabilitation and surgeries, Kayhla returned to full duty in 2016," police reported. "In recognition of her Herculean recovery effort, she was named a VFW Officer of the Year in 2017."

The 12-year veteran of the police department was promoted to her new position of corporal on Friday, Jan. 25, Bel Air officials said.

She is known for her leadership skills and investigative prowess, according to authorities.

"Throughout her career, Corporal Hendren has distinguished herself as an exceptional investigator and is recognized as a strong informal leader and mentor. Her efforts have brought convictions in numerous complex cases, some of which have spanned multiple jurisdictions; and her informal leadership style is without question the example for other officers to emulate," Bel Air officials said.

"She has developed a reputation of never surrendering to adversity," according to a statement from the town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Police Department. "The Town of Bel Air is proud to celebrate the well-deserved promotion of Corporal Kayhla M. Hendren."

• Bel Air Officer Hit by Car Makes Comeback: Police
• Driver Cited in Collision with Bel Air Police Officer
• Vehicle Hits Officer Directing Traffic in Bel Air

Photos of Corporal Kayhla M. Hendren courtesy of the Bel Air Police Department.