Miss America contestant Ashlyn Mercier is also a police officer in Massachusetts

Ashlyn Mercier, a police officer from Westborough, Massachusetts, is competing in the Miss America pageant, with the final competition taking place today at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mercier is the first police officer to be named Miss Massachusetts. In an interview, she stated, "I think there’s not one single look for what a female police officer is supposed to look like," emphasizing the diversity among women in law enforcement. She noted that female officers make up approximately 14% of the force in the United States and expressed her desire to show young girls that they can pursue multiple dreams simultaneously. Mercier is also raising awareness for her initiative, Nick’s Courage: One Smile Goes a Mile, which aims to bring positivity to children battling critical illnesses, inspired by her younger brother, Nicholas, who is a two-time pediatric cancer survivor. After taking a year off from pageant competition to attend the police academy, Mercier returned to compete, stating, "I was afraid of what other people would think if I chased both of those dreams at the same time." She has received support from her department throughout her journey. Mercier highlighted that her experience in law enforcement does not provide her an advantage in the competition, as each delegate aims to stand out. She has received encouragement from fellow female law enforcement officers and young girls aspiring to enter the field. Mercier remarked on the importance of women's empowerment and community service in the Miss America opportunity, stating, "Yes, we get to dress up. Yes, we get to wear pretty gowns and look beautiful. But women’s empowerment and service are the core." She also noted the difference in preparation time between getting ready for her police shifts and the pageant, humorously stating that preparing for a pageant takes significantly longer. Regardless of the outcome, Mercier aims to inspire young women and girls to pursue their dreams.