Sergeant Angela Ditzenberger
Women in Law Enforcement - Why Not You?
by Sergeant Angela Ditzenberger
As a young girl growing up in California, I frequently dreamed of a career in law enforcement. I always had a great deal of respect for the law, and especially admired women in uniform, but girls weren't encouraged to be police officers. I didn't really think that was something I could do.
After high school, I started out on my own, and began taking classes at the local community college. Needing to support myself, I took a job at Sears, Roebuck and Co., and worked my way up from a candy shop cashier to furniture sales. The minimum wage salary was tough to live on. I thought again about law enforcement as a career, but I didn't know anything about firearms. I'd never even learned to drive a car. I didn't think I could do it. So I kept working at my low-paying job, thinking about doing something better with my life.
One day I was talking with one of my co-workers who was about to retire. She had been working for Sears for 20 years and told me that she had not intended to spend her career in sales. She told me I would probably find myself in the same predicament. That was my wake-up call.
I bought an old car for $200 and began learning to drive. I also took tests for several different law enforcement agencies. Seven months later, the California Highway Patrol called to tell me I'd been accepted to start their Academy. I was twenty-one years old.
I was pretty nervous. Some of my friends and family told me I'd never make it, that it would be almost impossible to pass the CHP's tough driving course. That just motivated me to try harder. I promised myself that I would work hard and never quit.
It was a long 21 weeks. Initially, my mother and friends were my support system. As I got to know my classmates, we learned to lean on each other for help.
As expected, the driving was very difficult. Oddly enough, I had no problem with weapons training. Since I had no prior experience with guns, I had not developed any bad habits. I completed my weapons training with a perfect score. Academically, I found the key to success was studying with classmates. I developed such close friends at the academy, that to this day one of my best friends is another female Officer from my junior class, over twelve years ago.
After graduating from the Academy in February 1989, I reported to my first assignment as a patrol officer. I struggled through probation, working graveyards and swing shifts for the most part. During the Loma Prieta Earthquake of October 1989, I was assigned to a fixed post at the collapsed Cypress Structure freeway in Oakland, California. I will never forget the sight of the crushed cars being pulled from the demolished freeway. Though it was a tragedy, I was proud that I chose a career where I could give help to those who needed it.
Since then, I have enjoyed postions that ranged from Media Information Officer to Recruitment Officer. I also worked as a patrol officer in my home town, which was pretty awesome. Currently I work as a sergeant in the Office of Internal Affairs.
What I've enjoyed most about being an officer is the independence. As a divorced mother of a wonderful fifteen-year old girl, I have been able to provide security for my family. Off duty, I like to travel. Making a good living lets me take a nice vacation at least twice a year.
Many women have never considered law enforcement as a career. The benefits are huge - security, good pay and benefits (such as family medical care and a generous retirement), and the satisfaction of helping your community.
My final thoughts for women who would like the benefits of a career in law enforcement, but just aren't sure they could do it? Remember, I was working at a low-paying job. I'd never fired a gun. I'd never even learned to drive a car. Now I have a great job with a bright future, where I love going to work every day. I did it, you can too!
See our Women CHP web page, or call our special women's toll-free recruiting line
and talk to a female officer - 1 - 877 - WOMEN CHP
For additional information and applications, contact the CHP at:
1-888-4A CHP JOB
(1-888-422-4756)
TT/TDD
1-800-735-2929
EOE/ADA
or by e-mail