Altoona’s Police Chief has announced that she is retiring as of March 1st. 67 year old Janice Freehling is the first woman to head the city’s police department. She announced that she is stepping down on the 20th anniversary of her appointment as chief…. a date she says she targeted some time ago. Freehling joined the Altoona Police Department 44 years ago. City Manager Ken Decker released a statement, saying that Freehling was “proactive at keeping people safe” and “cared very much for her officers.” Under Freehling’s leadership, the police department introduced the use body cameras in 2019. As for her plans post-retirement… well, she says she will talk more about that as it approaches.