Females of the Force

Meet Alu the nae First-Res Serving SHSU on er

Policing has historically been a male-dominated field, but not anymore. We see women earning their place in leadership and our alumnae are among them. Here are the stories of three alumnae who choose to serve the SHSU community as they influence the next generation of females to join them in the ranks of law enforcement and first-responding.

Meet Patrol Sergeant Candice Sherbenou

Sherbenou earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2009 and master’s degree in Criminal Justice Leadership Management in 2015. Before joining the University Police Department, Sergeant Sherbenou worked at the Walker County Sheriff’s Department Jail Division for eight years. She worked in various roles throughout that time, from commissary officer, where she ran the store for the inmates, to promotion to Sergeant and shift supervisor. Sherbenou celebrates 15 years with UPD this year.

What is one of your favorite parts about your job?

My absolute favorite part of my career is the people that I meet along the way. I think working at SHSU gives me that opportunity to have the biggest impact on people. Most of the students that I encounter are typically between the ages of 18-24, the age group that is out on their own, maybe for the first time, and trying to navigate the kind of person they want to be.

What advice and encouragement would you give to our female students considering a career in law enforcement?

Do it! Law enforcement needs good women. Women add a perspective sometimes that men can’t.

Meet Detective Chanda Brown

Brown earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2007 through the Bowers Honor Program (before it was called the Honors College). She began working for University Police Department as a student assistant in 2005 during her second semester of college and became a certified officer in 2007. She’s worked at UPD for 13 years as an officer and 15 years altogether.

What is one of your favorite parts about your job?

Every day is different, and as police officers, we are problem solvers. We are challenged to find solutions to issues we do not witness. I may respond to the same type of call, like a theft report, but the details and the people are always different. As a detective, I have to take information, at times very little, and try to determine what if anything can be done. I have met many different people, and you never know how an interaction with someone will change your life. It has become my mission.

What advice and encouragement would you give to our female students considering a career in law enforcement?

Never let someone tell you, you cannot do a job. I have learned that the people who say there is not a place in law enforcement for women are not in law enforcement themselves. I have never been told by a male colleague that I could

Patrol Sergeant Candice Sherbenou

Detective Chanda Brown

O F S H S U

Dispatcher Amber Castro-Beltran

not do this job or did not belong here. Embrace the differences of others and be confident in your own skills.

Meet Dispatcher Amber Castro-Beltran

Castro-Beltran began her studies at SHSU in 2015 and earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2019. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Homeland Security Studies with a certification in Emergency Management. Before working for UPD, Castro-Beltran worked in Police Telecommunication for the Houston Police Department, taking 911 and non-emergency calls for the City of Houston.

What is one of your favorite parts about your job?

I like helping people and that’s one thing I can do with my job. Most people call the police because they are at their most vulnerable moments. I like being the person that can help them, whether it’s trying to calm them down or get the assistance they need. A good ending is always a good shift.

What advice and encouragement would you give to our female students considering a career in law enforcement?

As cliché as this is going to sound, you can do anything you set your mind to. Never settle and strive to be the best possible version of you. Hard work will get you so many places.

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