Left to right – James Tuller, Hostos President Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, Ray Kelly, and Rafael Pineiro.
 
Friday, November 08, 2013 (Bronx, NY) - Hostos President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez was the keynote speaker at the New York City Police Department’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration held on October 8 in the One Police Plaza Auditorium. The event recognized several outstanding Latino members of New York City’s law enforcement family and provided the chance to say thank you for all of their hard work.
 
“It is an indescribable honor to address and salute the Latino members of New York City’s Finest. Their tremendous sacrifices are extremely appreciated across the city, as they are in the surrounding community around Hostos Community College. Their work in conjunction with the work of our own Public Safety Department makes it possible for our students to achieve their dreams in a safe environment,” President Matos Rodríguez said.
 
The special event was also attended by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and other high ranking officials. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly recognized that approximately 144 police officers currently serving in the police department have attended and graduated from Hostos Community College.
 
Hostos was also represented by its Director of Public Safety, Chief Arnaldo Bernabe.
 
“It’s great to see the diversity of Latino’s in the New York City Police Department and the increase of Latino’s being appointed to command level positions in the NYPD,” Chief Bernabe said.
 
The event was hosted by the NYPD Hispanic Society, The New York Dominican Officers Organization, and the National Latino Officers Association.
 
About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique "Student Success Coaching Unit" provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.  
Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and five certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to CUNY’s four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.