YPD promotes highest-ranking woman to captain

Susan Otero has come a long way since joining the Yuma Police Department in 1992. Otero has chased down baddies and trained newbies, and now she is trading in the exciting life of a beat cop for good.

Otero has been promoted to captain and become the highest-ranking female officer in the history of YPD.

Otero, previously a lieutenant, will take the reins of the newly formed Third Police Division, which is the investigations unit overseeing the evidence and identification labs. She will also oversee the brand-new narcotics unit.

"Here in the midst of the reorganization (of the department), the future is pretty much ours," Otero said. "It is exciting because we can do whatever we want and take this department to new heights. It will be a challenge, but I'm ready. There is a lot to this, but it is exciting. Bad guys beware."

Otero said she has never experienced any type of "glass ceiling" because of her gender at YPD.

"I’m telling you, whatever I really wanted to do I just did. We are in a new era, and (the prejudice) is just not there anymore. You can ask any of the female officers who are working here if they think they can be anything including the chief and their answer is yes, if they are given the time and have the drive to do it."

Otero came to Yuma as a supply clerk for the Marine Corps and joined YPD in the early 1990s after being honorably discharged.

"I actually started in dispatch. I thought it would be interesting and I got the job. I dispatched for three years. It was very exciting, but I thought it might be even more fun to be on patrol, so I went to the police academy in Phoenix for 17 weeks and graduated in ’95."

Otero came back to Yuma and became a patrol officer for several years. In 1999 she became a field training officer and helped mold incoming police officers.

Otero said one of her most memorable moments as a street cop happened while she was training another officer. Officer Clint Norred, who was on duty at the time, remembers it well.

"It was the one where you came screaming bloody murder," Norred said to Otero. "We were chasing a guy who ran from a car late at night, and (Otero) had a trainee with her who is now a sergeant. They chased the suspect over by the old Department of Economic Security building next to the county courthouse, and that is when I heard this god-awful scream..."

Otero said that while looking for the suspect, she came across something very disturbing.

"This man hid in a Dumpster and covered up his entire body except for his head, which he left exposed so he could breathe. When I opened it I thought I had a head in the Dumpster; so yes, I acted like a girl. We found him, but we got scared in the process. That was an exciting night."

Otero, who was later promoted to sergeant, said the most exhilarating time in her career was when she was in charge of the night squad.

"Out of all the assignments, that is the best one to have. Being out there with the officers and helping them, they're excited and you are excited. There is just nothing like it. It was a blast."

Otero said while on patrol on a separate night, one quick-footed suspect gave her a run for her money.

"We chased a local high school football star who had dropped out. He kept burglarizing Valley Horizon School and we chased him on foot forever. We followed him through Lines and Lundgreen and down a canal. It was so far that the streets department picked us up in their trucks and helped us.

"That kid ran forever, but we caught him. When we came back to the station, we were covered from head to toe in mud, dirt and sweat. We earned our pay that night. It was hilarious."

Otero said even though being a street cop was invigorating, she is prepared for a life behind a desk.

"I loved (street work), It was the best position here. You never knew, every day was different. How cool is that? I have a desk job now, and it has its moments, and it has to be done. Every now and then I get to go out on the road to do the fun stuff."

Otero said being an administrator has new responsibilities.

"I have duties that require me to be in here, but I still get to go out on the major calls. The paperwork is not bad, you just have to keep on top of it and don't let it pile up on you. Now I have to deal with issues in the department that require a lieutenant or captain's attention."

Otero said YPD is a home away from home.

"There are a wonderful group of people here. This is my home and we really are a big family. We have our agreements and our disagreements, but you don't let it get to you. You make up, move on and leave it behind."

Otero said she can't imagine herself at any other place.

"I would not want to work anywhere else right now. This is my home. Even when I go home, it's the same. I feel just as comfortable here as I do in my house.

"These are my friends and my family. When you go to calls and do some of the things we have done, there is a bond there you just can't break, even when they make you mad. It's permanent."