On her motorcycle, Sergeant Lauren Acosta is the first Hispanic to supervise the police force patrolling the city’s highways.
Acosta, a member of the New York Police Department says:
“I did, it is an honor for me to serve in the NYPD. It is an honor, I have always wanted to serve my country, especially this country that has adopted me.”
Acosta came from the Dominican Republic at the age of 21 to live with his grandmother.
After learning English, he entered the Army and two years later undertook police training in the Bronx. He says that he loved to see the policemen on motorcycles.
“Wow, what a good representation of the department, I’ve always liked it, I like motorcycles, I’ve always liked motorcycles and I said: I want to get there,” says Sergeant Acosta.
Although he did not see women in this police unit, and with the fear of riding a motorcycle that weighs 850 pounds, Acosta did not give up.
“I’m going to do my best and I’m going to try to get there. If I can’t try it and if I do, fine, amen”, he continues saying.
In his position, Acosta responds to critical accidents on highways.
Decide if the accident needs to be investigated and coordinate with other agencies to resolve the case.
Lauren Acosta on her motorcycle
Acosta tells us about the hardest moments of his work:
“The most difficult thing of all is telling a family member what has happened with their loved ones because you never want to see that.”
As leader, he supervises 10 officers, all of whom are men since there are only two women working in this unit.
As a woman, Acosta says that her greatest inspiration was her grandmother, who motivated her to fight for her dreams.
“She was an inspiration to me, she was toughShe was very strong, she was very strong, she was a very strong woman and I admired that about her.”
It is that strength that she says keeps her working every day to be able to inspire new generations, especially women.
“Insist, be persistent, set a goal and try to get there and you will achieve it,” advises Lauren Acosta.
