Ritu Patel

“There were times when I thought about leaving the force, but then I remembered that I joined to make a difference. I couldn't let the haters win.”

Ritu was born in Mumbai and moved to Dallas with her family when she was 10 years old. She always had an interest in law enforcement and after graduating from college, she joined the Dallas Police Department. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Ritu faced discrimination from some of her colleagues and she became a founding member of DPD's LGBTQ+ support group. When she's not fighting crime, Ritu likes to unwind by practicing yoga and going on hikes with her girlfriend.

What inspired you to become a police officer?

I remember watching cop shows as a kid and thinking it was the coolest job in the world. As I got older, I realized that I could actually do something meaningful with my life by joining the force.

How has being part of the LGBTQ+ community affected your job?

It's definitely been a challenge at times, but I'm proud of who I am and I refuse to let anyone make me feel ashamed. If anything, it's made me more committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their orientation or identity, feels safe in our city.