FEMALE OFFICERS STRIKE POSES FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Officers aim to break stereotypes, inspire younger generation.
Austin police hope a new calendar featuring the “Warrior Women of the Austin Police Department” can help tell the story of female law enforcement professionals and bolster the ranks of women behind the badge.
The calendars, which display photographs of female officers in a work environment, were first made available to police employees Thursday morning.
“Showing the real female officer is what we aimed to do by producing the 2018 Warrior Women of APD Calendar,” said officer Susana Sanchez, one of the producers of the calendar. “It was an effort to show the public a version of us, the police, from the viewpoint of officers instead of through the eyes of Hollywood or the perspective of a viral video.”
The pictures show some of the officers’ daily activities, like shooting at the gun range, solving crimes, working felony traffic stops or staying fit for duty, she said. Each photo also includes an inspirational quote from each officer.
“We believed it was important to allow the women to express themselves in each photo,” Sanchez said. “This way, the viewer gets to hear their voices ... voices of humanity, love, courage and strength.”
February’s featured officer, Amanda Santeford, said that in her nearly 15 years of policing, she’s often been the only woman in a class or on a shift.
“It’s really about breaking the stereotypes and empowering each other and lifting each other up,” she said. “When we come together, we really can support each other and break the mold and show people that we’re not just a uniform, we’re more than just taking reports, and that calls don’t discriminate.”
When someone calls 911, she said, “they expect somebody to come and take care of whatever problem they have, and we’re perfectly capable of doing so.”
Officer Devon Delacerda, photographed for the month of May, said she hopes the calendar will show a younger generation of women interested in policing that they can do anything their male counterparts can.
“There is that stereotype that when you think ‘police officer,’ you’re thinking of a male-dominated field, and it’s really unfortunate because females bring so much to the table,” Delacerda said. “Yes, we have the element of being compassionate, we can maybe handle sexual assault calls a little bit differently than males can, but at the same time, we have the same requirements going into the academy as all males did.”
Interim Police Chief Brian Manley said men have historically, and currently, dominate the law enforcement profession. The women account for 10 percent of Austin’s police force, but Manley said the incoming class of recruits slated to start at the academy next month is 25 percent female.
“These are the warrior women of APD because they’re warriors for those that find themselves in need,” Manley said. “They’re warriors for the children in this community that may be getting abused, and they’re warriors for those that may be getting taken advantage of.”
Manley said the calendar’s photos show what it takes to be a successful woman in law enforcement and some of the opportunities available to women.
The calendar also marks the anniversaries of officers who died in the line of duty, along with dates of major Austin events such as the South by Southwest festivals, the Republic of Texas Biker Rally and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
All proceeds from the calendar sales will go to Austin Cops for Charities, which assists local education and youth development nonprofit groups.
The Austin Police Association’s executive director, Valencia Escobar, said demand for the calendars within the department has been high. They had nearly sold out by 2 p.m. Thursday.
Escobar said the police officers union has already ordered another batch that should arrive within a week or so.
Members of the public can order their own copy at austinc4c.com for $18, and either pick them up or have them shipped for an additional $2.