Women
In Policing
Officer Jodi Schock
Officer Schock has been with the Mesa Police Department since
2003. Her assignments include Patrol Officer and Field Training
Officer. Below are some questions we asked Officer Schock
reference her experiences with the Mesa Police Department.
What made you want to get into a career in Law
Enforcement?
When I was a young teenager, I witnessed some of my family
members make the wrong decisions and get themselves in trouble
with the "law." I decided that I always wanted to be on the good
side of the "law" by protecting the innocent, serving the
community, and enforcing the law.
What concerns did your family and friends have with you
becoming a police officer and did their concerns change after
successful completion of your training?
In the beginning, my parents and my husband were very concerned
for my safety. They said I was "too small" to be an officer and
feared I would not be able to protect myself. After they saw the
amount of training officers receive in the academy and in the
field, they became relieved and were proud that I made it
through.
Did you find it hard to compete with male officers
during the academy and FTO program?
It was hard to compete with the male officers on a physical
level in the academy, because they were stronger than me. I
never gave up and I always tried my hardest and they respected
me for that. As a female officer, you have to be able to take
criticism because you are constantly compared to male officers.
How do you balance the scale between family life and
shift work?
It took some adjustments in the beginning to work the graveyard
shift, because I had always worked during the day. I had to get
used to functioning on less sleep and try to figure out how to
still take care of my family. Now, my husband and I have a good
system and I prefer to work the graveyard shift. I get to put my
kids to bed at night before I leave for work and I come home and
sleep while they are at school. I'm home when they get home from
school and they don't have to attend daycare.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation you could
not handle because you were a female?
No, if anything being a female has helped me, because I've been
able to talk my way out of several altercations.
Did you have any issues getting hired and how did you
cope with the academy physical fitness requirements?
I have a clean background and I had worked at my previous job in
a salon for nine years, so the background portion was easy. I
struggled with the running portion of the physical fitness test
and I had to take it two times before I was hired. Once I was
hired, I began running every day to prepare for the academy. The
academy is physically demanding, but I pushed myself and never
gave up and was able to make it through.
What do you feel you bring to Mesa PD because of being a
female officer?
I feel that I am a compassionate, knowledgeable, and
well-trained officer. I love my job and I remain optimistic even
when I hit bumps in the road.
Do you feel that Mesa PD is a diversified department and
should the department seek harder to hire more female officers?
I feel that Mesa PD is diversified. I believe the department
would hire more female officers if they had good candidates to
choose from.
Give one example of a situation where being a female
officer helped defuse the situation?
In one particular situation, a male officer was speaking to a
male subject that was being investigated as the suspect of
assault. The male subject was disrespectful to the male officer
and would not answer his questions. I was able to calm down the
subject by asking him about his wife and kids. After a short
conversation about his family, the male remained calm and I was
able to question him regarding the assault. The male officer
later told me he had asked the subject about his wife and kids
in attempt to calm him, but the subject told him it was none of
his business. I believe that because I am female, the subject
was able to speak to me about his family, which calmed him down.
What is your most memorable experience as a police
officer?
I have encountered many memorable experiences as an officer, but
one of my most memorable was about four months ago when I
located a ten-year old mentally challenged girl outside of a
convenience store. It was approximately three in the morning and
it was freezing outside. She was wearing only a shirt with no
socks or shoes. Her shirt was soaking wet and her lips were
blue. She was not able to speak and she could not show us where
she lived. There were no reports of missing children at that
time. I took the girl to the police station to get her warm and
I prayed that her parents would soon realize she was gone and
call the police. I tried to communicate with the girl, but the
only reaction I could get from her was if I gave her candy she
would laugh. I gave her lots of candy and she laughed. She
eventually fell asleep in the chair next to me. A few hours
later, when her family realized she was missing they immediately
called police and they were told their daughter was safe at the
police station. Her dad came to pick her up and he had tears in
his eyes as he thanked me for taking care of his daughter. This
will always have a spot in my heart, because I think of how I
would feel if one of my kids were missing.
Do you feel the department has been supportive in
assisting you to reach your career goals?
The department is very goal oriented and offers many classes. I
have been fortunate and been approved to take each training
class I have requested. I also work with a Sergeant, who is my
career advisor, and he helps me set goals to pursue in my
career.
What advice would you give to women who want to become
police officers?
Be prepared mentally and physically. Stay strong and optimistic
and don't take criticism personally. Come to work each day and
be the best you can be!
If you would like to contact Officer Schock, please send her an
e-mail at
Jodi.Schock@Mesaaz.gov.
For questions regarding the Hiring or Testing process, e-mail
police.jobs@mesaaz.gov.