Ashlyn Mercier, a police officer from Westborough, Massachusetts, is competing in the Miss America pageant, aiming to break stereotypes and encourage women to pursue diverse aspirations. Mercier, who is the first police officer to hold the Miss Massachusetts title, is competing in the final event in West Palm Beach, Florida. She believes her participation challenges preconceived notions about the appearance of female law enforcement officers.
"People are so multifaceted, women are so multifaceted and I’m just trying to show young girls that they can chase all of their dreams simultaneously," Mercier told Fox News Digital. "They don’t have to pick one thing and make that their entire identity."
Mercier took a year off from pageant competitions in 2025 to attend the police academy, following in her father's footsteps. She initially worried about pursuing both a career in law enforcement and pageantry but realized the importance of focusing on her own goals.
"I also had this dream of becoming a police officer. But what I came to realize is that I can’t worry about what other people think. I’ve got to focus on myself. And it ended up working out for me," she said.
The Westborough Police Department has been supportive of Mercier's participation in the pageant. She noted that her colleagues have offered encouragement, attended send-off parties, and assisted with fundraising efforts.
"It’s really just an honor to be surrounded by people who uplift me," Mercier stated. "They’ve shown up to my sendoff parties. They’ve helped me with my fundraising efforts. They’ve sent me good luck texts."
While Mercier does not believe her law enforcement career provides an advantage in the competition, she has received significant support from other female officers across the country. Many have expressed that her story is an inspiration.
"I’ve had thousands of female law enforcement officers across the country commenting on my posts saying that they’re rooting for me and that they’re inspired by me," Mercier said. "There are also young girls saying that they want to get into law enforcement, and they’re inspired by my story."
Mercier also highlighted the parallels between her roles as a police officer and Miss Massachusetts, emphasizing empowerment and community service as core aspects of both. She stated that her experience in law enforcement has equipped her with skills such as clear communication and composure in stressful situations.
Regarding the time commitment, Mercier admitted that preparing for a pageant is more time-consuming than getting ready for a police shift. She described her daily work attire as simple, with hair often pulled back and minimal makeup.
This year's Miss America competition marks its 105th anniversary. Mercier aims to serve as an inspiration to young women, demonstrating that it is possible to pursue multiple significant goals, such as becoming a police officer and winning a national pageant title.
"If I do win, I just hope to be an inspiration to young women and girls looking up to [me], knowing that she can be a police officer, and she can be Miss America," Mercier said. "She can chase all her dreams at once."