Officer Tina Vu

1. Why did you become a police officer?

I thought that it was a very interesting job since every day is different. I have a duty and calling to help people in my community. People of my background are under-represented in law enforcement and I saw myself as potentially being a trailblazer.

2. What motivates you to succeed?

I have a strong drive to be successful due to my upbringing. We were raised to strive to be the best that we could.

3. What’s your most memorable moment on the job?

At my prior agency, while I was still in the field training phase, I was involved in a very labor intensive investigation regarding street level drug dealing. The incident came in as disorderly conduct due to two people arguing on the street which turned into an assault investigation. The actor had a warrant and was taken into custody. Due to further investigation, we located his vehicle which contained contraband necessitating a search warrant. The prosecution of the drug violation was conducted at a federal level. This taught me very early on in my career that a minor case can turn into something major and will require a complete and thorough investigation.

4. What challenges have you faced?

Due to my petite stature, I felt like I had to prove myself more not only to my co-workers but to members of society as well as myself.

5. What advice do you have for women considering a career in policing?

Even though law enforcement isn’t traditionally considered a female-dominated field, law enforcement should represent all of society and can be a very fulfilling and rewarding occupation. Keep your head up and stay strong!