…says Guyana-born NYPD officer
A Guyanese woman who migrated to the USA at the age of 16, and joined the NYPD six years after moving to America, has been entered into the Hall of Fame at her former college.
The woman, Rhonda O’Reilly-Bovell, a married mother of two daughters, has been inducted into the Hunter College Alumni Hall of Fame on May 4, 2018.
O’Reilly-Bovell is currently the commanding officer of the 7th Precinct on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and is also president of the Guyanese American Law Enforcement Association (GALEA).
She now holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Hunter College, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College.
This petite young woman served as a Police Officer in the 100 Precinct before quickly being promoted to sergeant in 2002, and then Lieutenant in 2010 in the 63rd Precinct. She has been described as a hard working immigrant, who climbed the ladder four years ago to become Captain in the 30th Precinct.
Her work ethic propelled her to the rank of Deputy Inspector last year, and she is now one of the top-ranking officers in the NYPD.
O’Reilly-Bovell says she wants youths to know about the programmes the NYPD offers to obtain an education. She is a fitting example of these grants, received when she joined the Cadet Corps while attending Hunter College.
“I chose a career in law enforcement because I wanted to help others. My inspiration comes from my entire family, who supports me 100 percent. My nephew is also a member of the NYPD,” said O’Reilly-Bovell.
She attended East Ruimveldt Secondary School before graduating from the prestigious St. Rose’s High School in Guyana.