YPD gets first female captain

When Susan Otero was promoted to lieutenant in 2007, she became the Yuma Police Department's first female lieutenant in its 95-year history.

Now, two years later, she has been promoted to captain. That not only makes her the first female officer to hold the rank, she is also the highest-ranking female officer in YPD history.

"She has a lot of experience, with many years here," said Yuma Police Chief Jerry Geier. "She will no doubt be an asset to the agency. It is a great thing."  

According to Officer Clint Norred, YPD spokesman, Otero is on leave and unavailable for comment.

Once she returns, Geier said, Otero will assume command of the newly restructured and third police division, the Investigations Division.

Otero has been a Yuma police officer since 1995. She has served as a patrol and detective sergeant and was also the first female officer to be promoted to lieutenant in YPD history.

She spent over four years in the Marine Corps in Virginia and Okinawa, Japan, and began her post-military career as a YPD dispatcher in September 1992.

Otero's promotion was announced publicly Tuesday night when Geier presented his 90-day report to the Yuma City Council. During a special work session, the police chief announced big plans for YPD.

Two other officers have been promoted also. Sgt. Dan Siegfried was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will be an addition to the Patrol Division.

Sgt. Lisa Calwell has also been promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will be assigned to the new Investigations Division.

"Both of those individuals are very experienced and will do a great job for us," Geier said.

Geier said he is implementing a five-part restructuring plan for the department in an effort to increase efficiency, connect with the community and reduce crime - all with no additional expenses.

"These things are ways we are going to get better, not that we were bad before. We want to be more efficient to be more effective."

The chief said his five immediate priorities, including the restructuring of the department, are restructuring the evidence unit by adding new technology, overhauling the records department, training and focusing on property crime.

Geier said he plans to have most of the reconstruction plan in place by Sept. 6. "I'm confident we can have it ready to go by then."

Future plans include improving crime analysis. Geier said the trend across the country for the more progressive departments is toward intelligence-based policing.

Crime analysis, Geier said, helps police predict where crimes are more likely to happen.

"There is some very, very up-to-date technology out there now that shows you where everything is happening and predicts patterns," Geier said. "Someday we will hopefully have some of the better technology and get there."

Geier added he believes the residents of Yuma deserve the most efficient and effective police agency they can have and a safe community that they can enjoy with their families.

"That is where we are going, and those are the things we are going to do, and we are going to take the steps to get there," Geier said.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.