Behind the Badge
Perhaps three-year-old Natalia Lopez, decked out in police blues, best exemplified the theme at the Santa Ana Police Department, that it is seeking femaleapplicants of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Well, almost.
On Saturday, October 26, SAPD played host to its third Women’s Hiring Expo, at the department’s Community Center.
Female members from throughout the Santa Ana Police Department were on hand to encourage women to join the department at the third annual Women’s HIring Expo. Photo by Greg Mellen/Behind the Badge
A crowd of more than 50 women lined up to learn about the wide array of openings and opportunities from about 25 women officers, who came in on their off day to spread the message.
Tables ringed the room with information and personnel ready to talk about job openings and invite attendees to apply for sworn and nonsworn positions. Opportunities ranged from correctional officers, to police dispatch, to records for nonsworn employees, as well as patrol officer jobs and the myriad paths that branch from there.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in the last three to six months,” Commander Maria Lopez said of female applicants to SAPD. “And a higher volume of successful applications.”
Acting Chief Robert Rodriguez said women are a vital part of the workforce in a still male-dominated profession.
“Here at Santa Ana we recruit diversity, which strengthens our ability to serve,” he said.
Santa Ana Police Acting Chief Robert Rodriguez encourages women to consider policing at the SAPD Women’s Hiring Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Speaking to the assembled potential recruits, Rodriguez said, “We recognize the impact women have, that you’ll have,” he said, encouraging the women in attendance to seek out the female officers on hand with questions. “You’ve taken the first step. It’s more than a job to serve something greater than ourselves.”
Commander Rosa Ponce de Leon has been with the department for more than 25 years and said women bring different perspectives and communication styles to police work.
“The statistics show there is less use of force. We’re more likely to do something to de-escalate,” she said of interactions and arrests involving women officers
“Let’s face it, men and women think differently,” Commander Lopez said. “We bring different aspects to policing that can be brought on the streets.”
From left, Officer Chelsea Ramirez, Officer Joanna Hatziefstratiou, Cpl. Maribel Casillas, Investigator Brenda Ruvalcaba and Sgt. Johanna Lizardi talk to women attending SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
An ongoing effort
Among those showing the diversity of the applicants were Destiny Cadena and Alexandra Fraga.
Cadena, a Santa Ana native with family in law enforcement, would love to join SAPD as an officer. She is finishing her units to graduate from UC Irvine and is already in the process of applying.
“It was like, ’It’s go time,’” she said of her recent application.
As a local product Cadena said she would interact well with the community and provide a different perspective on police officers for residents.
Fraga, meanwhile, is interested in corrections at the Santa Ana jail, where suspects are processed before they go to the Orange County jail.
“It would help me build a foundation,” Fraga said of being a corrections officer.
Santa Ana has been searching for qualified women for the department for years.
SAPD is part of the national 30×30 Initiative. sponsored by the New York University Policing Project, whose goal is to have women make up 30 percent of sworn officers by 2030.
Internally, SAPD has worked to create inclusivity. The department created a women’s running team, which competed in the last two Baker-to-Vegas Challenge, a 120-mile law enforcement ultra-marathon relay race. Although the team is on hiatus this year, it is expected to resume.
Santa Ana PD Commander Maria Lopez address the woman who came to SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo in their Community Room.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Last year, the department staged its first Female Training Class to help prospective officers pass the department’s rigorous physical agility test.
Lopez said the physical agility and stamina test is often the biggest hurdle, literally and figuratively, for female recruits. The test, which is required for those who want to enter the police academy, includes a 1.5-mile timed run, an obstacle course, dragging a 165-pound dummy, and, most daunting for most, climbing over a sheer six-foot wall.
“It can be a little daunting,” Cpl. Kenneth Gray said of the agility test.
However, with training and the right technique, he said it’s doable.
“Just come out and run with us,” he said.
Officer John Choi, a former Marine recruiter who now recruits for SAPD, says he believes just about anyone can complete the test, but they have to want it.
Ponce de Leon said women shouldn’t let the physical test deter them.
Women line up outside Santa Ana PD’s Community Room as they wait to attend SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“The reality is we want people with a good head on their shoulders and a little physical ability,” she said
After Saturday’s Expo, a number of applicants who had been encouraged to bring workout gear ahead of time, were invited to join personnel on a casual run.
Early arrivers were also offered guided tours of the police station and facilities.
Like most agencies, the Santa Ana Police Department is competing for qualified male and female recruits as departments nationwide report staff shortages and difficulties filling positions.
Police officers can earn up to $162,000, including a variety of incentives such as educational and bilingual pay. Nonsworn personnel can make upwards of $80,000-$95,000 depending on department and qualifications.
Santa Ana has about 340 sworn officers and would like to get to 380-400. Currently the number of sworn women officers is about 10 percent.
Participating in a panel discussion during SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo are, from left, Officer Nelly Lopez, Investigator Brenda Ruvalcaba and Dispatcher Grizelda Cisneros.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
At the Expo, Rodriguez noted the exceptional officers in the room that are helping to to transform the department.
“We have two commanders and several sergeants,” he said. “We have (future) deputy chiefs and chiefs.”
The Acting Chief recalled an interaction he had with a professor when he began studying for his doctorate at USC several years ago.
“He asked, ‘How are you going to change the world?’” Rodriguez said, adding that he had an answer.
“By changing culture,” he said. “I think this is part of that.”
Women enter Santa Ana PD’s Community Room as they attend SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Officer John Choi talk to women about a career in law enforcement during SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Correctional Supervisor Michelle Monreal talks to women attending SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Cpl. Kenneth Gray, left, address potential applicants attending SAPD’s Women’s Hiring Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
