Overcoming turbulence

Female police officers are bringing ‘mom skills’ to safety at the city’s airport

Not long ago, an older woman needed help in a crowd of passengers in Terminal A of the San Antonio International Airport.

Officer Claudia Ramirez, who is bilingual, recognized an anxious look on the woman’s face. When she spoke Spanish, the woman looked relieved — finally, someone spoke her language. A moment later, a Transportation Security Agency supervisor stopped her.

“This is my mom,” the TSA supervisor said. “I saw how you were taking care of her, and I appreciate your time. You were so sweet. I’ll take that with me.”

Now, when the supervisor sees the officer, she thanks Ramirez for coming to her mother’s aid.

“That’s what we’re here for,” Ramirez said. “We talk to passengers as a person. That’s when our mom skills come in.”

Ramirez is one of five female officers on the San Antonio Airport Police 29-member team that offers protection and security at the terminals, airport complex and perimeter. According to a 2020 Bureau of Justice Statistics report, women accounted for 13 percent of full-time police officers in the

United States.

Ramirez, 42; Twyla Estrada, 29; Monica Duck, 40; and Michaela Brewer, 28, all are licensed law enforcement officers who have earned their certifications. The four female officers and training sergeant Janis Vogt make up 17 percent of the airport police unit.

All have had to overcome obstacles — from foster care to dog attacks — to get where they are today. The patrol officers work one of

three shifts on foot, riding a bicycle or patrolling the area in a police SUV.

Their goal is the safety of more than 10,000 passengers who travel daily through the airport.

Vogt, 62, also is supervisor over applicant processing.

The 22-year airport officer said the unit’s duties are the same as other municipal po

Photos by Sam Owens / Staff photographer Officer Michaela Brewer prepares to reward her dog Pika for detecting a suspicious package in a suitcase during a training exercise this month at the San Antonio International Airport. Pika’s reward is a bright orange and blue squeaky ball.

Officer Monica Duck directs people waiting to pick up a passenger to move their idling vehicle to the cellphone waiting lot.