The first police officer to compete for Miss USA will represent Arizona on national TV on Friday September 29.

Officer Candace Kanavel, 27, serves with the Tempe Police Department in a variety of duties, including hostage negotiator for the SWAT team..

"A lot of the qualities that I have to have as an officer translate directly to my role as Miss Arizona USA and vice versa. I have to be a really good communicator. I have to be a leader. I have to be able to be flexible with whatever's going on and work through different situations," Officer Kanavel told ABC15 .

Defying stereotypes, while helping other women feel strong, safe, and confident is all part of her platform, titled #YesSheCan .

"I started Yes She Can because of my own story, but also feeling like people constantly look at me as a very feminine woman and discount what I may be capable of,” Officer Kanavel said. “I know that happens to so many women, especially being in my line of work as a police officer. I think people see femininity as weakness, and it's not.” 

To help Officer Candace Kanavel before the nationally televised pageant you can vote in the pageant's online People Choice competition , which will cost you $2 per vote. The winner will be guaranteed a spot as a semi-finalist at Miss USA.  

The woman crowned Miss USA will represent the United States at Miss Universe.