SAN ANTONIO — The first official female officer has joined the SWAT team of the San Antonio Police Department
Officer Perla Dominguez is a 6 year veteran with the San Antonio Police Department. She was part of the DWI unit. On Wednesday morning, chief William McManus and city manager Sheryl Sculley held a press conference to present the newest members their SWAT patches.
"During my tenure, the chief and I have worked together to increase the number of women that are selected for the San Antonio police department be retained and promoted," Sculley said. "So this is a big day. I would say that, with all due respect to the men in the room, in my experience, women have to work harder and be better to achieve. And I say achieve because Perla earned this position outright."
Chief McManus said to be part of the SWAT team, officers undergo a series of tests that is based on skill, regardless of gender. McManus said the tryout process was formalized in 1996.
"When I say it was formalized prior to 1996, there weren't any specific physical requirements to get into SWAT. It was more or less an interview. And the comfort of the team to allow you into the unit," McManus said. "Now, it requires different area of skill and abilities. You have firearm, you have Cooper's physical conditioning assessment. You have an obstacle course that has to completed."
Dominguez beat 10 other SAPD officers to earn a spot. It was her third time trying out for the SWAT team.
"I definitely put in a lot of time in my training. I've been working out and practicing the things that I knew I needed to improve on previous tryouts," Dominguez said. "It's definitely an elite team and I look forward contributing to the team. I look forward being a sponge and absorbing everything that they have to teach and putting it into practice."
"There was no doubt in my mind that she was going to come back and she was going to keep coming back until she completed everything. So, this was her time. I can tell you that I could tell a difference in her output on tryout day," said SWAT commander Lt. Jaime Trevino.
Dominguez said it wasn't just her training that helped her succeed, but support from other officers in the department. Retired detective Holly Vizcarrondo who was the first unofficial female SWAT member, gave her advice. Dominugez said she spoke with her Tuesday.
"Stay driven, work hard and be myself," she recalled Vizcarrondo saying.
"Holly Vizcarrando was the first female on the SWAT team. However, officer Dominguez is the first female to successfully complete the rigorous, formal tryout process with the condition as it is set today," McManus said.
Dominguez, who now proudly has the official title, said she hopes to serve as a role model and has advice for other women.
"I'd like other females to think and know there really are no barriers. If anything, it's just a mental thing that you can overcome," she said. "You set goals for yourself. Don't let anything set you back, just work hard and do it."
The second officer who made the SWAT team is officer Marshall Davis, who has been with SAPD for 6 years. He was assigned to the bike patrol unit downtown. Davis' brother is also part of SWAT.