CHULA VISTA, Calif. — In 1978, News 8 featured what it was like for women policing in San Diego. Decades later, the industry has become more popular among women joining the police force.
Chula Vista Police Department Captain Miriam Foxx said women used to not be allowed in the field, they were only permitted to do administrative work.
“They were only allowed to wear skirts and so the role has definitely changed and evolved, now the sky's the limit,” she said.
Capt. Foxx has served the Chula Vista Police Department for about 25 years. Her career of service began right after high school when she joined the United States Navy. Foxx traveled the world while being in the military and eventually made her way to San Diego.
Throughout her career, she's seen the role of female police officers evolve. But she always felt like she's had to do more than her male counterparts.
“It's not as hard as it used to be," she said. "But I did feel like I need to make sure I am doing more, I am working harder so my partners don't feel that I am not going to be able to be there with them,” Foxx said.
While Foxx was enlisted, she switched to 'master-at-arms' rating which is the Navy's law enforcement. That's when she realized a career as a police officer was something she wanted to pursue. Foxx still remembers the feeling she got on her first day on the job.
“I get feelings of the tingling in my stomach seeing, going wow this is my first day by myself in the field and it was such a great time,” Foxx said.
At the moment, there are 48 female and 229 male sworn officers in the department.
“I think we're progressing, but it's not enough right? Women bring a different aspect to the position... to the position of a police officer,” Foxx said.
The profession has become an industry that's breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.
“Women can do whatever they want to do in the police department, they can work dispatch, they can be a police officer, we have several managers in our department that are women,” Foxx said.
Chula Vista's very own Chief of Police Roxana Kennedy is the first female to be chief, lieutenant, and captain in the Department.
“Having that representation, lets you know that you can walk in those same shoes and possibly get to that position,” Foxx said.
For anyone interested in making law enforcement a career, Foxx said its not about having a certain type of background but instead to have a heart to help and serve.
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