Platform : ‘Women Bring Different Ideas to the Force’

Last month, the Los Angeles Police Department sponsored Women’s Career Expo ’94 to attract more women into its ranks. Of the estimated 1,000 women who attended, 440 took the LAPD’s written test, the first requirement to a career serving the public. Here are some of their reasons for choosing law enforcement:

ROCHELLE QUINN

Rancho Cucamonga

My dad is a police officer. There are a lot of rewards and it’s very challenging. There’s risk in everything you do. You have to be aware. If you’re going to do the job, you can’t be afraid of it. As for the gangs, there’s more to it than people realize. They’re just everyday kids. You have to be a little more personable, you have to deal with gang members more in a motherly way. Women have different ideas than men do. They bring different ideas to the police force on how to handle things. Also, women on the force will bring men and women together more.

MARY BOHORQUEZ

Fullerton

I do feel kind of scared, but it’s a career I’ve chosen. The job is kind of stressful, you have to control your emotions and cope with your feelings a lot and not get involved. But my mom doesn’t agree. She says it’s a man’s job. I’d like to work with the K-9 corps. I love animals and working with animals. I want to be on patrol, then a detective. I like investigation--that’s my ideal.

PAMELA SHEPHERD

Watts

When I was in high school, I took a “youth and the law” class. I liked it, and now I see the opportunity to come back to it. The community needs role models. As for the risks, you can be walking down the street and be at risk. At least here you can do something to help. (As for sexual harassment), if men see more women officers, we’ll get more respect, and the ones there won’t be strange. They’ll see that she’s not trying to be an odd one.

GINA ELORREAGA

Los Angeles

It’s my dream. I’ve been processing with the department for a long time. I scored 99 on the oral interview, and my husband is very supportive. I’m bilingual. You have to listen to people; you have to be a counselor and try not to be a hero. You go to help people. The best weapon is your mouth.

GABRIELA SANCHEZ

South-Central L.A.

I want to be a police officer because of the excitement and that no one day is the same. Also equality--that women can do the same thing as men. Getting shot at doesn’t scare me--it’s an everyday thing. I’ve made up my mind.

LISA HANSON

Whittier

My husband is a police officer, but before I met him I was interested, so I thought I’d better get up and go for it. I like the K-9 corps, the narcotics search and DARE. I love working with children. I want to get into a specialized unit to help, to make a difference. The risks--nowadays anything can be dangerous. You can go shopping and get shot. How about the people attacked in the post office? You have to take the job seriously and take precautions. The scariest part is taking the plunge.

HEATHER HOLLEY

Santa Monica

I want to serve the community. It’s a noble career but it gets a bad rap. Police put their life on the line and do the dirty work. I think you have to be a good negotiator. I ride horses and used to have a horse, so I like the mounted police. The department is trying to open up to women, so harassment is not as bad as it used to be. I’ve thought about it a lot: Life is a risk, but the reward of protecting people is worth it.

WANDA GIBSON

Sylmar

You have to get into society to be able to change it, especially in areas where there are the worst problems. I’ve passed the written test; the oral is tough, and I haven’t climbed the 6-foot wall yet. But going through the process made me want to do it. My family and friends keep telling me I’m crazy, that I’m going to get killed. But you can’t even go to the grocery store or the bank without worrying.

ALEIDA STONES

Eagle Rock

I know some of the gang members. I’m a field service rep for the Department of Water and Power in Echo Park and Silver Lake so I already feel like a police officer. It’s challenging. I can make a difference in my community. I used to go to MacArthur Park and play as a child. It’s such an ugly area now. I’d like to see it make a comeback.