Hispanic Heritage Month: how two Latino cops rose through the ranks of the NYPD

As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, amNewYork spoke with two NYPD trailblazers who have risen through the department’s ranks, drawing on their personal experiences and cultural heritage to shape their leadership and make a difference in the communities they serve. For Assistant Chief Aneudy Castillo, that foundation began at home. The son of immigrants, with a father born in the Dominican Republic and a mother from Ecuador, Castillo grew up with a deep appreciation for his heritage and parents who supported his dream of becoming a police officer. “I always admired and respected police officers. I was brought up to respect them and admire them. But really, what inspired me to become a police officer was the fact that my brother came on the job approximately seven years before I did,” Castillo said. Although his parents worried about the dangerous profession, they supported his decision, particularly during his time at the police academy. For Castillo, the decision ultimately