The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Women enforcing the law

Three women San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers, ages 28 to 42, all have the same goal in mind —  taking care of business. Their passion for helping the community is what keeps them motivated to keep the community safe.

Each story the officers shared are uniquely different. One has worked for SAPD just a few months, another for 13 years in law enforcement.

For years, women have been a minority in law enforcement. With about two hundred women out in the field in San Antonio, some female officers said they feel like they still have to prove themselves. However, women go through the same requirements as men such as academics, physical training and skills training.

Recruiting Officer Yvonne Padilla felt she needed to prove herself at the beginning of her term.

“After some time on, you realize that ‘I don’t have to prove myself. I work and I’m good…I’ve earned it, I went to the same academy you did, I was treated the same way you were, I did everything you did. I’m just as equal,’” Officer Padilla said.

Officer Padilla, Officer Cristina Gonzales and Officer Stacy Mikes have different reasons why they chose law enforcement as their career, but share one thing in common. When interviewing the women officers, they all expressed the love of diversity the job entails.

“Everyday is different,” Gonzales said inside the Frio Street station. “You meet new people and come across different personalities… That is a big, fun thing for me!”

Officer Mikes said she also appreciates meeting new people.

“Dealing with and talking to all different walks of life, you get to hear people’s stories when you’re talking to them, and get to understand why they are the way they are. It’s a very exciting job!” Mikes said.

Officer Padilla, who works in the recruiting department for SAPD said, “Every call is different, which was very enticing for me. That was attractive to me coming in, because I knew everything was different and I get very bored doing the same thing over and over. I like to have different things going on.

SAPD officer Yvonne Padilla is helping Denise Valenzuela improve her kettlebell workout during PT training. Photo by Amanda Tetens
SAPD officer Yvonne Padilla trains Denise Valenzuela with a kettlebell workout during PT training. Photo by Amanda Tetens

When Officer Padilla lost her husband, she knew she needed a permanent job for her two sons, then 6 and 8. She wanted to make sure that she would have a good job and career; law enforcement was a no brainer. Padilla knew as a mother, she needed to do whatever it took to take care of her family.

“I needed to find a good establishment for me and my children. I needed stability,” Officer Padilla said.

Padilla has been with the San Antonio Police Department for 13 years. She has worked her way up the ranks and dabbled in a few different departments.

In 2007, Padilla was assigned to the Tactical Response Unit and participated in the 2009 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. She currently holds a recruiting position with SAPD.

Alongside Padilla, we have Officer Gonzales who has been with the San Antonio Police Department for 10 years. Officer Gonzales goal is to eventually be part of the Police Negotiating team. Her experience with helping the community will prepare her for such position.

On days off, Officer Gonzales enjoys fishing and Spartan racing.

“Spartan races are amazing, it is obstacle races,” Gonzales said. “Yeah, they’re fun!!”


Editors’ Note: The following Q&A was edited for length. Mesquite reporter Valerie Lambardia interviewed SAPD Officer Stacy Mikes on the topic of what it’s like for a female officer and challenges that come with it.

Q&A

The Mesquite: What made you go into law enforcement?

Officer Mikes: Quite honestly, I’ve never been able to envision myself doing anything else. I’ve never had a desire to follow any of my other passions and turn them into a career. I’ve been fortunate to have a good upbringing, and it’s about giving it back and being able to possibly help someone else in need get back up on the right foot in life, and to be that role model, and that positive influence. We all bleed the same blood, and just because I walk on one side of that line, doesn’t make me any better than anyone else.  

The Mesquite: What are the hardest obstacles you’ve had to overcome?

Officer Mikes:  Being this new in this career, I’d have to say the academy. It’s about eight months of the most challenging experience I’ve ever been through in my life. Every day that you’re on that campus, you’re being pushed both mentally and physically. You’re always on edge because you never know what’s going to happen next, and what to expect. But that translates perfectly into working patrol out on the streets. You always have to be on your guard and always expect the unexpected. You never know when that easygoing person may turn on you, or when that routine house call turns into something much worse.

The Mesquite:  What is your favorite and least favorite part of the job?

Officer Mikes:  My favorite would have to be dealing with and talking to all different walks of life. You get to hear people’s stories when you’re talking to them, and get to understand why they are the way they are. It’s a very exciting job, because one minute you could be running code (lights and sirens) to a serious call with adrenaline pumping through your body, not knowing what to expect, and then the next, you could be doing a welfare check on an elderly person because their family hadn’t been able to get ahold of them. It’s all over the place! My least favorite part, would have to be when we get a call over the radio for an officer in trouble. If you’re not in the area where it’s occurring, you’re praying that someone else can get there fast to help your brother or sister out if needed.

The Mesquite:  What are some challenges you’ve faced as a female officer?

Officer Mikes: Well for one, you’re expected to “man” up. Clearly, It’s a male dominated industry, so think tough and act tough. You’ll get sized up in the street easy, for being a female officer. I haven’t had to deal with it, yet but just because of the fact that I’m a woman doing a what’s usually considered a man’s job, I’ll also get sized up my by own male counterparts. You have to proof yourself out here.

For more information about the San Antonio Police Department please contact Officer Yvonne Padilla at (210) 207-3325

About the Author

Valerie Lambardia
Valerie Lambardia found interest and a passion for journalism during her freshman year in high school. She was in a journalism class that designed, edited and interviewed students for the school yearbook. Valerie followed her interest and received an associate’s degree in new media communications at Northwest Vista College. Valerie is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Her major is communication with a concentration in journalism and a minor in sociology. Her goals are to become a news reporter and travel the world. Valerie also works at The Men’s Wearhouse where she utilizes her customer service skills and networks at the same time.

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