John Jay College proudly educates public safety leaders. This series highlights the people “behind the badge” to learn about what challenges and inspires them.

Recently, law, police science and criminal justice administration professors Alden Foster ’12 and John Benoit invited William Bratton, former New York City Police (NYPD) Commissioner, Boston Police Department (BPD) Commissioner, and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief, to speak to their students aspiring to join law enforcement agencies. “We wanted our students—many of whom are already in the NYPD or a cadet program—to learn from Bratton’s life story and envision how they could progress in their own careers,” says Foster, NYPD Director of Community Engagement. “There were over 100 students at the event,” says Benoit, NYPD Deputy Chief. “They had a lot of questions and I could see how excited they were to meet someone with a law enforcement and security career that’s lasted almost 50 years.” These three cadets, and hopeful NYPD officers, wanted to share their thoughts from the event. 

Carolina Moreno ’23
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Jamaica, Queens

The advice I found most compelling was that we should learn from each other and various law enforcement agencies. In law enforcement, we can’t be stubborn and stick with just one way of doing things. If another agency with a similar mission is having success with a different approach, there’s value in trying that approach. When I join an agency or become a powerful figure in a large public safety organization, I want to always keep this in mind. No matter how high you climb up the ladder, you can’t be dismissive of other people’s ideas. Those different perspectives can help shape your policies and allow you to better serve the community. 
 

Mohammed Fadel ’22
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

I enjoyed learning about how Bratton positively impacted people—even outside of the NYPD ranks—by reaching out and guiding them throughout their lives. He’s been Professor Foster’s mentor for over 20 years and they’re still in contact today. When I first came to John Jay, I thought I would become a lawyer. But, after I figured out that law school wasn’t the right fit for me, Professor Foster mentored me and helped me become a police cadet with the NYPD. Meeting my mentor’s mentor was really impactful. It made me want to become an NYPD officer even more. Hopefully, further on in my career, I can pay it forward and help other aspiring officers reach their dreams.
 

Ashley Clavijo ’23
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

As a criminal justice student who wants to become an NYPD officer, I was really excited to hear how important it was to learn about the history of policing. Commissioner Bratton said it was one of the most important things an aspiring law enforcement officer could do. We have to learn from the past to prepare ourselves for the future. If I continue to have a good work ethic and stay dedicated to the department, the possibilities for me in the NYPD—and beyond—are endless.