Since its inception in 1997, HALEFO has sought to be a real partner with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Haitian- American Law Enforcement Officers in New York City and nationwide, and members of and organizations within the Haitian community -- both in the United States and in Haiti.

 

For nearly twenty-two years, HALEFO and its membership have been active participants and stakeholders in the Haitian community.  Some examples of our work include: 

 

• Working with the NYPD to conduct cultural awareness and diversity training for new Police Officers assigned to local communities with a large concentration of Haitians and Haitian-Americans

 

• Holding a series of awareness campaigns using various social media platforms, including radio and TV talk shows, to educate our communities about major topics and issues affecting them

 

• Conducting outreach efforts targeting Haitian immigrant and Haitian-American youth via workshops and career day events at local schools, as well as introducing/exposing them to the benefits and advantages of a career in law enforcement 

 

• From 2010 to 2017, working as Technical Advisers and Instructors with the Haitian National Police through a unique, collaborative partnership between the United States Department of State and the NYPD.  This partnership has helped the Haitian National Police enhance their overall investigative, crime prevention, and community policing capacities.

 

• Following the devastating Haiti earthquake in January 2010 and the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, HALEFO members volunteered their personal time and money to assist in the post-earthquake and hurricane recovery efforts and provide much-needed assistance to our fellow Haitian brothers and sisters.

 

From 1997 to the present, HALEFO has been an important partner of New York City’s Haitian community.  It is our organization’s pledge to do the following:

 

• To stay connected with our members -- past, present and future; 

• To be engaged in our communities by working to address and attempt to change issues that impact the livelihood and quality of life of our members and our communities; 

• To remain focused on our core purpose to use our members’ expertise and experience to respond to the needs of our community.

 

“Strength through Unity”