Deputy Chief Michelle Ramos says women make up 13% of the San Antonio Police Department’s ranks.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Police Department is determined to add more women to their workforce. The department is hoping to inspire the next generation in its first youth camp for girls ages 13 to 18.
About 70 girls showed up Wednesday to SAPD’s “Beauty and the Badge Summer Youth Camp” to learn skills like self-defense. SAPD Deputy Chief Michelle Ramos says women make up 13% of the force’s ranks.
“We want young girls to be inspired to kind of get out of their comfort zone,” Ramos said. “At 13, we’re hoping to bring young girls in, get them to know what being a police officer means. But if they choose to choose another career path, we want them to be here and have fun.”
Getting out of her comfort zone, Mikayla Rainey and dozens of other girls spent Wednesday learning what to look out for when it comes to driving while under the influence and dating violence.
“I’m doing this as new experience, just to learn how to do other things,” she said.
Ramos hopes this experience will help these girls try more male-dominated careers.
“Studies have shown we use less force, we have less complaints, less lawsuits,” Ramos said. “So it’s a great thing to have more female officers on your department.”