I know that for a lot of women, deciding to pursue a career in the police force is difficult. You have to know that this is something you really want. After deciding to apply for the academy, I knew I would have to improve my physical fitness. I lost more than 50 pounds working out on the academy’s grounds, preparing for the physical aspect of being a police officer. It was a challenge but a great one.

And it prepared me for the academy. The academy was a real eye opener. It made me an even stronger person and taught me that hard work really pays off. That’s what this job takes — dedication, hard work and will.

Rosemary Caudillo, Traffic Patrol

Now I am a traffic officer who works on the highways and access roads of the city. This is the first step in what I expect to be a long career with the SAPD. I already have my eye on promoting to detective. The police force is about more than the uniform. People sometimes get so used to referring to cops as those there to arrest you or give traffic citations. We are more than that. We’re out there bettering lives, families and communities. And being a San Antonio police officer has bettered my life.

The SAPD’s SWAT team is known throughout the country as one of the most successful SWAT teams in law enforcement. Competitions are held each year to test SWAT teams in all types of areas including physical, shooting and problem solving. The San Antonio SWAT is always the team to watch.

We took first place in the nation at the 2010 U.S. National SWAT Competition and placed second in the worldwide competition. Up against top military organizations from around the world, we were able to not only excel but represent San Antonio to the best of our abilities.

Matt Parkinson, SWAT Team

Growing up, my mom was a dispatcher and my father was a cop. I knew you had to be 21 to be a police officer, and I was just killing time before I became old enough. At 21 I started the police academy. When you graduate from the academy you feel like you earned it, and it is an honor to serve. Now, 12 years later, I still look forward to going to work every day. I’m living my dream.

I ended up in hostage negotiation after a varied career with the SAPD. I spent time in patrol, narcotics, sex crimes, family violence and forgery. All of those positions gave me an inside look at how people think, what they say and what they do. All that comes into play with hostage negotiation. You always try to stay a step ahead of the person while ensuring you remain calm.

I guess you could say I’m a good listener. I hope my wife would say the same thing.

Coming from a military background (I was stationed at Randolph Air Force base), the SAPD seemed like a great fit for the skills I gained in the service, including the ability to listen. For those active military looking for an extension of their military career without moving from state to state or out of the country, this is the place to come to. The benefits and pay are great and the life experiences are too. San Antonio is a great place to raise your family, and with several military bases in the city, you have access to all your military benefits.

Willie Dillon, Police Negotiator

And you can show your military pride as well. I serve in the SAPD’s honor guard, meaning I’m able to show every day the pride I have in serving my country. Coming from a military background and a structured environment, transitioning to the SAPD was easy. I’m even more disciplined now and look forward to welcoming even more military servicemen and women to the SAPD.