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[NY1] Wave of Asian Americans adds diversity to NYPD

May 28, 2015
(Courtesy of the New York Police Department)

(Courtesy of the New York Police Department)

[NY1.COM]

Officer James Li says it has always been his dream to wear a police uniform.

“Since I was like five years old, I always wanted to become a cop, and I did it, became a cop,” Li says. “That’s what I wanted to do, and I still want to do it.”

Li is part of a wave of Asian Americans, from those of Chinese heritage to police of Pakistani descent, adding diversity to the NYPD. Statistics show the number of Asian Americans on the force has more than tripled in 15 years, from 629 in the year 2000, when they were just 1.6 percent of the force, to nearly 2,100 today.

Their pride was on full display during an Asian American heritage celebration this month at police headquarters.

“We represent the police department because we’re a part of the community,” said Sergeant James Ng of the NYPD. “A lot of the Asians like myself, we grew up in New York City.”

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