A hat that credits him as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Northern Manhattan is the symbol of Dago Suárez’s latest achievement in the city’s police force.
“It’s something I take very seriously… it’s an honor,” Suarez said.
The big achievement comes after being a part of the Auxiliary Police for three decades, an honor well deserved after many achievements along the way, and it’s all because he enjoys helping his community.
“For me the most important thing is to help the community. My mom always told me to always give back to the community,” Suarez added.
Dago Suarez, the promoted officer.
–
Being an auxiliary officer is a volunteer position. They are not armed but wear a police uniform.
They are trained in patrol techniques, self-defense and other skills through a course of 18 classes.
Officials say their job is not to arrest or engage in law enforcement when a crime occurs, but rather to observe what is happening in their community. There are 3,300 auxiliary officers throughout the city.
“We just want the person to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the department,” said Sgt. Carlos Nieves, an NYPD spokesman.
Suarez, who grew up in upper Manhattan, has a passion for serving the community. His work inspired his son, who is a police officer with the department.
“For many years I saw my dad in a police uniform and he helped me to be a police officer today,” said son Gabriel Suarez.
Suarez says the auxiliary police are an important connection between residents and law enforcement.
–
“We know the people who live in the community. We know the police and we can always…bridge the gap.”
And that’s why he has a great goal in his new title:
“And one of the things that I want to do, which is going to be very important for me, is to look for more volunteers. Bring more people to explain what we do.
Suarez says the ancillary program is a great way to better understand policing in our communities.
–
