Corpus Christi Teen Inspired by Family to Join CCPD Police Explorer Program

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Tzepporah “Sophie” Gonzalez wants others to understand one specific statement when considering a career in law enforcement.

“If I can do it, you can do it,” Sophie told KRIS 6 News reporter Alexis Scott.

Gonzalez is a junior at West Oso High School and is a Corpus Christi Police Explorer at Post #133 — a program she has been a part of for more than two years.

Gonzalez was inspired to join the program by several family members who also work in law enforcement, including her aunt, who is a CCPD lieutenant. His aunt is also one of the only lieutenants on the force.

“Just looking at her, she really inspired me,” Gonzalez said.

Data shows that women represent about 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership. With plans to enter the police academy after high school and then become a crime scene investigator, Gonzalez said the program is doing much more than she expected.

“I had a lot of anxiety and was very shy, but it really helped with my leadership skills,” Gonzalez said. “It’s also helped with communication and really brought me out of my shell and I’m learning a lot.”

The program began 51 years ago. Named after late officer John W. Sartain, it offers in-depth police training for young adults ages 14 to 20 with an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Participants receive training in various categories such as the criminal justice system, crime scene search, accident investigation and even shadow other police officers.

“They go from being explorers to being eligible to enroll in the academy,” said senior officer Lillian Penick. “This helps speed up the registration process because we already have them ready. We have them ready physically, mentally, they are way ahead of most people who just wake up one day and say ‘You know I just want to be a police officer today.’ “

Right now, there are 16 participants in Post #133, however, seven of them are young women. Gonzalez said it doesn’t bother her; she hopes to disrupt what many consider a male-dominated industry.

Penick mentioned that there are two field training instructors in the program who can relate to the young women participating. One of the instructors had been in the program for six years and the other for two. They ended up going through the police academy, getting a job at CCPD and now they are giving back by helping other young women in the Exploradoras Program.

“We’ve seen a big increase, especially with the explorer program, with young people wanting to do this,” Penick said. “By seeing other female officers, it really helps bridge that gap with our younger explorers, especially women. They can see ‘Hey, I started right where you are and look where I am now.’”

Along with the skills Gonzalez is learning through the program, she was recognized for her time at Post #133 and received several important certificates.

Gonzalez said she wants to continue encouraging her friends and other young women to join the Explorer program. She hopes to inspire them to pursue a career in law enforcement, just like her family did for her.

If you are interested in joining the Corpus Christi Police Explorer Program Post 133, please contact CCPD Senior Officer Lillian Penick or click here for more details.

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