Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions and achievements of women across all fields, including law enforcement. While the profession has historically been male-dominated, women continue to break barriers and shape the future of policing. Among those making a difference is Alejandra Garay, an LAXPD officer and LAAPOA Board member dedicated to mentoring, supporting and advocating for women in law enforcement.

“Women’s History Month to me is a month where the world gets to honor and celebrate all the women who have forged a way for other women,” she says. “It is a month to encourage the newer generation of women to continue to pave ways for themselves and for other women.”

Garay’s journey into law enforcement was not a lifelong plan but a choice sparked by self-discovery. “It was a late decision in my life, but it came after I learned that I was a hands-on person and I didn’t like the idea of working a normal 8–5 job,” she shares. “Then I saw a flyer in college about joining the force, and the more I thought about the job, the more I fell in love with the idea of law enforcement.”

Garay says she always had a desire to help people and recalls “truly enjoying” a crime scene investigation class in high school. “So when I saw the flyer, I thought to myself, ‘Why not?’ Since then, I have never regretted my decision — I truly feel blessed by all the people I’ve met, and I truly enjoy and love what I do.”

With a passion for helping others and a deep sense of fulfillment in her work, Garay became a LAAPOA Board member in January 2025, an “eye-opening” experience that has given her a behind-the-scenes look at the processes and issues involved.

“Being an officer, I have known about certain things but I never really paid the politics much mind,” she says. “Now being part of the Board, I feel more exposed to the politics, which has slightly shifted my viewpoint on different things.”

Garay has also made her impact felt as the chair of the Women’s Conference Planning Committee. The committee has successfully promoted the personal and professional development of law enforcement members and the community by organizing the annual Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Conference.

“The conference has created a platform for women to network and engage with other women in the field from different ranks,” Garay explains. “Through this conference, LAAPOA motivates and encourages women to continuously become educated and to promote through the ranks in a male-dominated field. The conference highlights the obstacles previous generations of women have overcome and the obstacles present and future women may have to overcome to keep paving ways for others.”

Garay’s role with the committee has grown since she first joined the team in 2021, the first year of the conference. “I initially had a small role — since then, I have gotten more involved in the planning and have grown to play a bigger part,” she shares. “Being part of the Women’s Conference Planning Committee has been a positive experience. It has taught me the value in networking and building working relationships with others. It has allowed me to grow my organizational skills, as well as allowing me to develop my skills as a leader.”

Garay’s experience as a woman in law enforcement has been overwhelmingly positive, and she credits the support of both her supervisors and her colleagues, male and female, for her success. “Even from the community we serve, I definitely feel the support, and that pushes me to continue doing what I’m doing,” she says.

When asked about her proudest accomplishments, Garay highlights two significant milestones: “The two accomplishments I am proudest of are promoting to becoming a field training officer and being the first female in the department to receive a Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award.”

Garay also emphasizes the importance of female representation in law enforcement, noting that women are increasingly reaching higher ranks within the field. “It is important for women to be represented, because women are starting to represent an equal amount of the force. Women are beginning to promote higher in the ranks, and therefore, there needs to be more of a push for women in law enforcement because there is strength in numbers,” Garay explains. “If women feel more represented, they would be more inclined to do more within the field.”

Garay’s advice to women considering joining law enforcement or just starting their careers is straightforward: “My advice is always be humble, be willing to learn and take advice from male and female counterparts, be a team player, don’t be afraid to speak your mind but always be respectful, and most of all, don’t be intimidated by what you think your capabilities are,” she says. “If there is something you want to do, don’t hold back, because if you do, and you are left with the ‘what if,’ that might be one of your biggest regrets.”