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What made you want to get into a career in Law Enforcement?
I can remember wanting to become a Police Officer at a very young age. I don’t remember the exact
moment I made my decision but I feel everything that has happened in my life has pointed me towards
a career in this profession.
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What concerns did your family and friends have with you becoming a police officer and did their
concerns change after successful completion of your training?
My family does worry about my safety. Being a Police Officer will sometimes put you in danger.
However my family has begun to realize I’ve joined a second family and they will always come
when I need them.
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Did you find it hard to compete with male officers during the academy and FTO program?
I have always been a competitive person but I also know everyone has different strengths and
weaknesses. The physical portion of the academy was the most difficult for me. When I saw the
other students male or female ahead of me it motivated me to push even harder.
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How do you balance the scale between family life and shift work?
I’m learning it’s important to make time for family and friends. They are the ones that can
bring comfort after you’ve had a rough day. There are a lot of ups and downs in this job. You
have to be able to take a step back and have fun from time to time.
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Have you ever found yourself in a situation you could not handle because you were a female?
There have been situations where I have been challenged because I am a female Officer. When that
happens I know it’s time to approach the situation differently. Sometimes that means using more
command presence.
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Did you have any issues getting hired and how did you cope with the academy physical fitness
requirements?
The hardest part of the hiring process was getting ready physically. I wasn’t just preparing
to be physically fit for the academy but rather for the rest of my career. I had to set many
goals and stay focused to reach them and it wasn’t always easy. The reward was graduating the
academy. It was worth it.
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What do you feel you bring to Mesa PD because of being a female officer?
Sometimes women see things a bit different than men. That’s a good thing. It would be boring
if we were all the same. I love to be around people and it’s not necessarily because I’m a female.
I like to make a connection on a personal level with people I come in contact with. It shows
Officers are normal humans too. We have families we go home to after work just like you.
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Do you feel that Mesa PD is a diversified department and should the department seek harder to
hire more female officers?
I feel Mesa PD is a much diversified department. I work with other female Officers every day
and we each bring our own personalities with us.
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Give one example of a situation where being a female officer helped defuse the situation?
Sometimes people just need someone to talk to. There have been situations where I did not have
the authority to solve the problem. Listening and letting people know that I am concerned will
help them calm down so we can explore other options to finding a solution.
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What is your most memorable experience as a police officer?
Walking across the stage in front of my family and receiving my badge. It was the proudest I’ve
ever been.
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Do you feel the department has been supportive in assisting you to reach your career goals?
The entire time I have been in the Mesa PD family the department has supported me becoming an
Officer. The department has always provided plenty of opportunities to continue schooling and
promote while I’ve been here.
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What advise would you give to women who want to become police officers?
If you are a female looking to become a female Officer you have to make sure your heart is in
it. It’s a dangerous job and during the first couple years the shift work can be difficult to
adjust to. Being a Police Officer is not for everyone but I find it rewarding.
