ON DUTY WITH ALICIA CHUDY
Without a Doubt
The presence of Law Enforcement is something this world depends on. Although sometimes misunderstood, those who serve our cities, states and nation are usually some of the most well-rounded, hard working folks out there; and likely someone you’d want to call your friend.
Here at LALO, we do our best to shine a light on all service members of this country, and to do so in a positive, raw manner. Alicia Chudy is a local Chula Vista Police Officer who was gracious enough to give us an inside view of her profession; a profession many of us wonder about, but rarely have the opportunity to question. She shares why she loves her job, what motivates her to maintain her integrity and why she believes the gender gap that still remains in her profession is dwindling - and in her opinion, should perish forever.
Here at LALO, we do our best to shine a light on all service members of this country, and to do so in a positive, raw manner. Alicia Chudy is a local Chula Vista Police Officer who was gracious enough to give us an inside view of her profession; a profession many of us wonder about, but rarely have the opportunity to question. She shares why she loves her job, what motivates her to maintain her integrity and why she believes the gender gap that still remains in her profession is dwindling - and in her opinion, should perish forever.
LW: Being a police officer is serious work and extremely demanding, but you seem to love your job; what inspired you to become a police officer and how long have you been active?
AC: I have been a police officer for 11 years. I am currently assigned as an Agent in Patrol. I cannot pin point any reason, person or experience that inspired me to be an officer. I honestly believe it was what I always knew I was meant to do.
LW: Do you find that being a female in your line of work brings with it more challenges than the more common male officer might encounter? If so, what are some of those challenges you face and how do you combat them?
AC: I think any person coming into this job experiences challenges. However, law enforcement is still considered a male dominated field. I personally came into this job as a young, petite, bubbly female. I know that being 4’10” and 110 pounds brought doubt to many of my co-workers. It started when I went to the physical agility test and heard the murmurs behind me about me not being able to make it over the 6-foot wall. I heard it in the academy because I was so bubbly and friendly. I heard it when I was in field training if I would be able to hold my own in a fight. However the longer I am in this field, I hear those same discussions about male officers.
Over the years, I’ve seen more and more strong woman step into supervisory roles and numerous females hired. Currently, my shift of 20 officers consists of a female lieutenant, a female sergeant, a female agent (myself), and 3 more female officers. It is one of the more empowering things to see.
LW: What is your favorite part of the job? Least favorite?
AC: There are many things I love about this job. The first being the people I work with. Most of them are pretty amazing. But I have to admit putting bad guys in jail, is one of my favorite things. I think taking legitimately bad people off the streets truly makes the city safer for the community. My least favorite is any crimes involving a child victim. It absolutely breaks my heart.
LW: Can you share with us one of the most memorable experiences you’ve had on the job and why was it so memorable?
AC: My most memorable experience was graduating the academy and having my badge pinned on me. My sister, who is a Sergeant at another agency, pinned my badge on me. The badge that I wear symbolizes so much. I am proud to put my uniform on wearing my badge when I come in to work. It reminds me of all the hard work that I have put in to get where I am today.
LW: When you have to work graveyard shifts, what keeps you motivated and awake through the night?
AC: Right now I have a lot of fairly new officers that like to get out there and seriously work. They contact anyone and anything that moves. They keep me on my toes all night and I have no choice but to stay awake. They remind me of why I started this job 11 years ago. They remind me of myself when I was a young officer. It makes working at night fun.
LW: We’ve noticed you are a fiery ball of energy and you dedicate a lot of your off time in the gym, active in local competitions with one of our gym partners, Fathom CrossFit. Have you always been a gym rat or is it just part of the job as you serve this nation?
AC: I have been fairly active all my life despite struggling with asthma when I was younger. I trained and competed in Judo in my younger years. In college I was a coxswain on the SDSU rowing team, and was a cardio kickboxing and Zumba instructor for approximately 10 years. A little less than 5 years ago a few of the officers I work with told me that I would LOVE CrossFit. I reluctantly went to a free class. I mean I did Zumba, what else did I need to do? The coach (Melissa Abels) at the CrossFit gym I went to was amazing. She made me want to come back for more. Like many of the women I work with, she empowered me to want to be better. I moved to Fathom CrossFit about a year ago. I love the community, the coaches and the programming. I found two amazing women that work out there that push me to be better and of course my main squeeze, Brandon Mclaughlin, works out there and pushes and supports me.
LW: What is your favorite kind of workout and why?
AC: My favorite workouts are longer chippers and OLY lifting - or long chippers with OLY lifting movements, maybe? I like the longer WODS to get my blood flowing and I like OLY to remind myself that I am strong. Any hard workout reminds me that no matter how much it hurts, I can keep going, I can finish. I keep my job in my mind as I work out to keep that same mentality.
LW: What else do you like to do in your spare time?
AC: In my spare time I like to spend time with my amazing boyfriend, Brandon, paddleboard and travel.
LW: We can’t help but notice your love of tattoos and hear you have a plan to continue the artwork across your body. Can you share your ideas for this and what your “why” is for decorating your body?
AC: I do love tattoos!!! I think it is a great way for someone to express him or herself. I have mermaids on my right leg that remind me of a picture my Mom made, a Victorian woman with butterflies and orchids on my right side because it reminds me of figurines my Grandpa collected when I was a little girl, and Japanese art on my back as I am a quarter Japanese. I plan on continuing with some more Japanese art.
LW: What would your response be to someone who insinuated that women are less qualified to do the job you’re doing than a man?
AC: I would most likely laugh. I’ve worked with numerous women and many are so amazing. They work just as hard if not harder than the men. I think today in my profession, more women doubt themselves than men doubt them. Over the years, I have heard women give a million reasons why they cannot be an officer. Women get into their own heads instead of just going for what they really want. I’m lucky to work for an agency that is extremely supportive of its female officers.
LW: We have to ask, is being a police officer really the way it seems in movies and television? What are some of the biggest misconceptions you hear about being a police officer?
AC: It’s funny because so many people think they know the job because of television and movies. They think that we can solve many crimes in a one-hour episode or a 2 hour movie which, yes can happen occasionally, but not always. I think the biggest misconceptions of being a police officer actually come with negative media coverage. A few bad apples tarnish every officer’s badge.
LW: What words of advice or wisdom would you give a young woman who desires to become a police officer? Anything you would change in your experience?
AC: If any young woman desires to be a police officer I say to go for it. Law Enforcement needs people with many different personalities. Women contribute different approaches then men do. Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back. Get your degree and stay in shape.
I do not think I would change anything in my experience. It has made me who I am today.
LW: Given the risks associated with working in the field as an officer, do you see yourself making a lifelong career out of this honorable position? If not, what else would you like to accomplish in life?
AC: This is a lifelong career choice for me. I hope to get into specialty positions and promoted along the way.
LW: Coffee or tea?
AC: Both, depending on how I feel.
LW: Favorite song to workout to?
AC: Any Major Lazer song……you can put ‘Lean On’ on repeat and I’d be happy.
LW: Sunrise or sunset?
AC: I get the pleasure of seeing both on the days that I am working. But I must say, I love watching the sun come up at the end of my shift.
LW: Now for some fun, you don’t have to mention names, but we are curious - how many men in your unit can you out lift, out run, or out smart? And don’t be shy.
AC: HAHA! I am lucky to work out with quite a few people who CrossFit. However, on my shift of 19 other officers, there’s only one that would give me a run for my money when it comes to out lifting me, one that I know can outrun me……but outsmart me? Nah. ;)
AC: I have been fairly active all my life despite struggling with asthma when I was younger. I trained and competed in Judo in my younger years. In college I was a coxswain on the SDSU rowing team, and was a cardio kickboxing and Zumba instructor for approximately 10 years. A little less than 5 years ago a few of the officers I work with told me that I would LOVE CrossFit. I reluctantly went to a free class. I mean I did Zumba, what else did I need to do? The coach (Melissa Abels) at the CrossFit gym I went to was amazing. She made me want to come back for more. Like many of the women I work with, she empowered me to want to be better. I moved to Fathom CrossFit about a year ago. I love the community, the coaches and the programming. I found two amazing women that work out there that push me to be better and of course my main squeeze, Brandon Mclaughlin, works out there and pushes and supports me.
LW: What is your favorite kind of workout and why?
AC: My favorite workouts are longer chippers and OLY lifting - or long chippers with OLY lifting movements, maybe? I like the longer WODS to get my blood flowing and I like OLY to remind myself that I am strong. Any hard workout reminds me that no matter how much it hurts, I can keep going, I can finish. I keep my job in my mind as I work out to keep that same mentality.
LW: What else do you like to do in your spare time?
AC: In my spare time I like to spend time with my amazing boyfriend, Brandon, paddleboard and travel.
LW: We can’t help but notice your love of tattoos and hear you have a plan to continue the artwork across your body. Can you share your ideas for this and what your “why” is for decorating your body?
AC: I do love tattoos!!! I think it is a great way for someone to express him or herself. I have mermaids on my right leg that remind me of a picture my Mom made, a Victorian woman with butterflies and orchids on my right side because it reminds me of figurines my Grandpa collected when I was a little girl, and Japanese art on my back as I am a quarter Japanese. I plan on continuing with some more Japanese art.
LW: What would your response be to someone who insinuated that women are less qualified to do the job you’re doing than a man?
AC: I would most likely laugh. I’ve worked with numerous women and many are so amazing. They work just as hard if not harder than the men. I think today in my profession, more women doubt themselves than men doubt them. Over the years, I have heard women give a million reasons why they cannot be an officer. Women get into their own heads instead of just going for what they really want. I’m lucky to work for an agency that is extremely supportive of its female officers.
LW: We have to ask, is being a police officer really the way it seems in movies and television? What are some of the biggest misconceptions you hear about being a police officer?
AC: It’s funny because so many people think they know the job because of television and movies. They think that we can solve many crimes in a one-hour episode or a 2 hour movie which, yes can happen occasionally, but not always. I think the biggest misconceptions of being a police officer actually come with negative media coverage. A few bad apples tarnish every officer’s badge.
LW: What words of advice or wisdom would you give a young woman who desires to become a police officer? Anything you would change in your experience?
AC: If any young woman desires to be a police officer I say to go for it. Law Enforcement needs people with many different personalities. Women contribute different approaches then men do. Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back. Get your degree and stay in shape.
I do not think I would change anything in my experience. It has made me who I am today.
LW: Given the risks associated with working in the field as an officer, do you see yourself making a lifelong career out of this honorable position? If not, what else would you like to accomplish in life?
AC: This is a lifelong career choice for me. I hope to get into specialty positions and promoted along the way.
LW: Coffee or tea?
AC: Both, depending on how I feel.
LW: Favorite song to workout to?
AC: Any Major Lazer song……you can put ‘Lean On’ on repeat and I’d be happy.
LW: Sunrise or sunset?
AC: I get the pleasure of seeing both on the days that I am working. But I must say, I love watching the sun come up at the end of my shift.
LW: Now for some fun, you don’t have to mention names, but we are curious - how many men in your unit can you out lift, out run, or out smart? And don’t be shy.
AC: HAHA! I am lucky to work out with quite a few people who CrossFit. However, on my shift of 19 other officers, there’s only one that would give me a run for my money when it comes to out lifting me, one that I know can outrun me……but outsmart me? Nah. ;)