SAN ANTONIO - They've served our country and now many of them protect you right here at home. At least a quarter of all San Antonio Police officers are veterans, and recruiters are now looking for more to join their ranks.
Cadet Arthur Bottiglieri is looking forward to beginning his second career as a SAPD officer. He served 22 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Major and serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
"In the military, I was an officer so I did a lot of administrative work. So now I'm looking forward to actually being out in the streets and doing the day to day job as a policeman," he explained.
Police recruit veterans at bases across the county because of the similarities between military work and police work.
"You got people skills, weapon skills, discipline and they can handle themselves, generally, in a hectic situation. Those are the skills we are looking for," explained Andre Taylor, a recruiting officer with SAPD.
Police are hosting a Public Safety Day this Saturday, March 2 at Palo Alto College for anyone interested in becoming an officer. You don't have to be a veteran to apply. It's from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oppenheimer Academic Center, located at 1300 San Pedro Avenue. For more information,
click here.
