Erica

Erica

Rookie Police Officer, Playful, Victorious Underdog

“I grew up in East New York in Brooklyn. My mom would not allow me to go outside because it was a bad area with fights and robberies. People would even go up to the roof and try to climb into our house through the fire escape. We made a swing inside the hallways so we could play. It was so silly. The protection level was serious all the way through high school. Growing up, I only saw police if something bad happened.”

“I had my son when I was 21. I think back and I don’t understand how I could deal with it all. Going to school, going to work, dealing with life and at the same time raising him. I’ve tried to raise him to be respectful. I’ve tried to teach him to not give up. Even if you feel like you can’t make it. Somehow, some way I’ve always managed to pull out of it. I want him to know to keep going forward.”

“One time my son and I were walking to Pink Houses on Linden Boulevard which is one of the most dangerous projects in the city. We were on our way to take food to my uncle and some kids asked my son ‘Can I get some fries?’ cause you know they’re like little fresh mouths or whatever. My son just said ‘Yeah, you want some fries…’ and I had to tell him ‘You don’t do that! You just ignore them!’ I feel like I took that away, his situational awareness. Not growing up where I grew up, he doesn’t have that tough skin. His upbringing is completely different. He thinks that he’d survive in my old neighborhood. But I tell him, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t even see it coming.’”

“I’m the first in my family to finish highschool, go to college and pursue a career, so me being a cop is huge for my parents. The day I graduated I didn’t even know how to handle it. When I first put my uniform on I cried.”

“Every day is rewarding. Even when it’s horrible and someone’s going through something. When I see people at their worst, I appreciate my own life. You think you’ve had it bad, and then you just encountered someone who’s really having it bad, you realize you’ve probably seen nothing compared to what they have.”

“The police academy is very male dominated. When I was there we were five women. We would come in earlier to train with each other for the physical part. You don’t want to drop out, be the weakest link or the person who can’t do it. We motivated each other. We started this together and we were going to finish together. That was inspiring. It also prepared me for what it was going to be like for the next 25 years with your co-workers. When one is down, you all have to go in and help that person up.”

“Your co-workers might know your deepest darkest secrets. Once you get comfortable with the person you’re working with you’ll talk about and reflect on stuff you’d never expect.”

“I didn’t realize the impact my uniform has on people. I didn’t realize the attention it brings, good and bad. I want people to know that everyday we go out, we walk into the unknown, we address situations that may sound simple then all of a sudden turn into chaos. I grew up in the city and I took an oath to serve and protect the city I still live in. I want to be a role model not just for my family but for other kids and show them they can make it.”

“When visiting New York don’t stop and ask just anyone for directions, you have security and police officers here for that. I think the worst thing is when the visitors just stop on the street and whoever is behind them, trying to get from A to B in 30 minutes. It’s like ‘What are you doing!? Get out of my way!’ It’s like driving, you can’t put the on brake so quickly.”

Q&A

What neighborhood do you live in? I live in Howard Beach.

Best thing about living there? It’s quiet compared to East New York where I grew up.

Favorite neighborhood? Except for my old neighborhood East New York, I love Chelsea because it’s an escape from my world and I can walk to the piers and relax.

Favorite street to stroll? Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights because of the small shops all over, the beautiful brownstones and the people sitting on the stoops playing music.

Favorite restaurant? Carmine’s in the city. One dish serves for about four people and the daiquiris are delicious.

Hidden gem? Joe’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn. It’s family owned. I’ve been going there since I was a kid and now I take my son there.

How to be(come) a New Yorker? When you master running late because your kid forgot his homework, walking, eating, talking on the phone while applying your makeup on a crowded train and still manage to walk into work without having a nervous breakdown, then you’re a New Yorker.

Your New York soundtrack? You are not from New York if you haven’t listened to a Biggie Smalls or Jay-Z album. Jay Z’s Hard Knock Life is my all time favorite.

5 THINGS THAT TELL A STORY ABOUT ERICA

EBT CARD “I saved it because it reminds me of my struggle and what I went through. It reminds me to stay humble and remember where I come from. From time to time I look at it because we all can get out of touch with life a little.”

BOOK “I kept seeing people reading this book and I’m like ‘What is that?’, and I started to read it. It’s a self help book. I haven’t finished the whole thing because of my crazy schedule but it’s actually really good, very relatable. Especially if you’re trying to find yourself, or find meaning out of something.”

POLICE ACADEMY CERTIFICATE “When I saw my name on it, I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. This is a huge accomplishment, not just for me, but for my family. The role model I didn’t have, I became for my family. I’m happy I became someone to look up to.”

FAMILY PHOTO “This is my family. Me, my husband, and my son. They mean so much to me. My husband, we’ve been together 15 years. We grew up, went through being kids, adults, and now being parents together. I think if it wasn’t for him I might have given up.”

FOOTBALL PHOTO “During the times when we were playing, sometimes my son felt like he wanted to give up. When he saw this picture he looked at it and was like ‘I look so good in that uniform!’ Maybe one day that will be him, an adult, professional athlete.”