TheDude
02-20-2005, 10:14 PM
And those not...Suck it up big time
New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Highly promotable
By CARRIE MELAGO
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Sunday, February 20th, 2005
A FORMER cheerleader and prom queen, Donna Engel never imagined a career in law enforcement until she worked as a secretary for the Suffolk County Police Department.
After eight years there, cops realized that the sharp-witted Engel deserved to be in uniform as much as they did.
"They said, 'C'mon, go for it,'" she remembered. "And I did."
Twenty-two years later, Engel is the highest-ranking woman in the history of the department. On Thursday, she was promoted from inspector to deputy chief during a department-wide ceremony at the Brentwood campus of Suffolk County Community College.
Engel's achievement coincided with that of Aristides Mojica, who became the department's highest-ranking Hispanic, after moving up from deputy inspector to inspector.
"It's important that police management reflects the diversity of our population, and that makes this a milestone day in our county's history," County Executive Steve Levy said.
The gravity of the day wasn't lost on Engel's brood of relatives, who wore blue buttons to the promotion ceremony to show their pride.
The pins were the brainchild of her niece, Kerri Leas.
"We all knew one day she would achieve this," she said.
Another proud relative understood more acutely the sacrifices Engel made - her husband, retired Suffolk Police Sgt. Thomas Engel.
"She earned it," said Thomas, who presented his wife with her new shield at the Thursday ceremony. "She picks a goal and sticks to it."
Engel, an Islip native whose grandfather was a New York City police officer, also doesn't settle. Since becoming an officer, she has finished her undergraduate education, business school and the FBI Academy.
Still, her success surprises even her.
"I never envisioned that I would go this far," said Engel, 51, commanding officer of the 5th Precinct in Patchogue. "Right now, it's surreal. I hope I give encouragement to other women."
Indeed, Engel was treated like a hero during the ceremony, receiving not only a dozen pink roses but also a standing ovation.
Mojica is similarly driven - and similarly surprised by his own accomplishments. Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, he saw police work simply as an opportunity for a better life.
"I was blessed with the aptitude and the opportunity," said Mojica, 46, who lives in Commack with his wife, Denise. "I never visualized making inspector."
Though he is honored by his designation as highest-ranked Hispanic officer, Mojica acknowledges that the achievement has more meaning for his close family.
"They came here for opportunity and they saw that it worked out," he said. "They wanted us to get the education and have the opportunities."
In addition to Mojica and Engel, 34 other officers were promoted by Police Commissioner Richard Dormer. In all, there were 12 new sergeants, eight lieutenants, three captains, six deputy inspectors, four inspectors and one deputy chief.
"This is a proud moment for all of these officers and their families," Dormer said.
New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Highly promotable
By CARRIE MELAGO
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Sunday, February 20th, 2005
A FORMER cheerleader and prom queen, Donna Engel never imagined a career in law enforcement until she worked as a secretary for the Suffolk County Police Department.
After eight years there, cops realized that the sharp-witted Engel deserved to be in uniform as much as they did.
"They said, 'C'mon, go for it,'" she remembered. "And I did."
Twenty-two years later, Engel is the highest-ranking woman in the history of the department. On Thursday, she was promoted from inspector to deputy chief during a department-wide ceremony at the Brentwood campus of Suffolk County Community College.
Engel's achievement coincided with that of Aristides Mojica, who became the department's highest-ranking Hispanic, after moving up from deputy inspector to inspector.
"It's important that police management reflects the diversity of our population, and that makes this a milestone day in our county's history," County Executive Steve Levy said.
The gravity of the day wasn't lost on Engel's brood of relatives, who wore blue buttons to the promotion ceremony to show their pride.
The pins were the brainchild of her niece, Kerri Leas.
"We all knew one day she would achieve this," she said.
Another proud relative understood more acutely the sacrifices Engel made - her husband, retired Suffolk Police Sgt. Thomas Engel.
"She earned it," said Thomas, who presented his wife with her new shield at the Thursday ceremony. "She picks a goal and sticks to it."
Engel, an Islip native whose grandfather was a New York City police officer, also doesn't settle. Since becoming an officer, she has finished her undergraduate education, business school and the FBI Academy.
Still, her success surprises even her.
"I never envisioned that I would go this far," said Engel, 51, commanding officer of the 5th Precinct in Patchogue. "Right now, it's surreal. I hope I give encouragement to other women."
Indeed, Engel was treated like a hero during the ceremony, receiving not only a dozen pink roses but also a standing ovation.
Mojica is similarly driven - and similarly surprised by his own accomplishments. Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, he saw police work simply as an opportunity for a better life.
"I was blessed with the aptitude and the opportunity," said Mojica, 46, who lives in Commack with his wife, Denise. "I never visualized making inspector."
Though he is honored by his designation as highest-ranked Hispanic officer, Mojica acknowledges that the achievement has more meaning for his close family.
"They came here for opportunity and they saw that it worked out," he said. "They wanted us to get the education and have the opportunities."
In addition to Mojica and Engel, 34 other officers were promoted by Police Commissioner Richard Dormer. In all, there were 12 new sergeants, eight lieutenants, three captains, six deputy inspectors, four inspectors and one deputy chief.
"This is a proud moment for all of these officers and their families," Dormer said.