More than 80 years ago, two brave women made history by applying for jobs as police clerks with the El Paso Police Department. This was a big step forward because it showed that women could also work in law enforcement. Since then, more and more women have joined the police force, and now there are 171 women serving as officers in the El Paso Police Department, which has about 1100 police officers in total.
In 1942, the department put out an advertisement looking for a policewoman to work on full duty. Then, in 1974, the first group of five women graduated from the El Paso Police Academy and officially became police officers, taking the oath to protect and serve their community.
Detective Judy Oviedo, who has been serving in the department for 17 years, says that becoming a police officer is a calling driven by a desire to make a difference in the community. She started her career patrolling the roads and was later promoted to work in the Crimes Against Children Unit. Now, she works in the public affairs department.
Oviedo believes that being a woman in law enforcement brings unique perspectives and values. She says that women officers may be more approachable and empathetic, which helps build trust and bridges gaps within the community. Oviedo herself broke barriers by becoming the only certified bomb technician in the department, a role not commonly held by women.
Despite facing challenges because of her gender, Oviedo has shown that women can be just as effective in law enforcement as men. She believes that the department benefits from having women from diverse backgrounds and talents. Recently, professional boxer Stephanie Han joined the force, showing that women can pursue their dreams and careers in law enforcement while also being mothers.
Oviedo hopes that seeing women like herself and Han in the police force will inspire future generations of women to consider careers in law enforcement. She believes that having more women in the department will lead to positive changes and improvements.
International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world to recognize and honor the achievements of women. It’s a day when women are celebrated without any discrimination based on factors like nationality, ethnicity, culture, or economic status. It’s a reminder of the importance of gender equality and the contributions that women make to society.
