Largest APD cadet class to graduate with 10 women

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department will welcome 39 cadets into the program Friday after completing the traditional Chief's Run on Wednesday. According to APD, 10 of the cadets were women.

"This is the largest number of females that we've actually graduated in the class with," Interim Chief Robin Henderson said. "It's helping support our objective of having 30 percent of our workforce of the sworn officers to be represented by women.”

The cadets ran in the mist Wednesday morning across the Congress Avenue bridge and stopped at the front of the Peace Officers Memorial at the Capitol.

"We want the community to see who the newest officers are," Henderson said. "We want the officers to know the ultimate sacrifice that have been paid by so many Texas peace officers, so not just Austin police officers, but all of our Texas peace officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice."

The cadets end the run at the memorial to reflect and honor those who have served before them. Last year, APD lost senior officer Jorge Pastore.

"We also want them to just know that this is just such a challenging job, and sometimes you do find yourself in situations where an officer loses their life," Henderson said.

From San Antonio, Texas, Sabrina Lazo is graduating with the cadets and said she is ready to join the field.

"It's great to look at and see all the females that represent the police department as well," cadet Sabrina Lazo said. "Chief Henderson, our Lieutenant Edwards, our Sergeant Washington, those females are just idols in my opinion."

The cadets have trained together over the last eight months to prepare for the workforce.

"All the female cadets here; I'm excited to work alongside them," Lazo said. "We've all put in the work. And we're excited to get on the streets."

"At the end of the day, we're all trying to do one job or are trying to accomplish one goal," Lazo said. "If it comes down to it, we are willing to lay our life on the line for the community."

As Lazo reflected on the run, she said it was a great honor.

"If anything it makes it more surreal. Why we are here. Why we are getting this job. It's a great way to pay our respects," Lazo said.

The cadets will graduate Friday at The Bannockburn Church located on Brodie Lane. After graduation, the police officers will be on probation for 15 months. They will be assigned a patrol shift with four, 10-hour shifts and three days off.