Acquí está la jefa
Veteran 一分快三 officer first Latina to serve as chief
Law enforcement officials from across the state, along with members of the 一分快三 Community, gathered on Monday, May 5, to celebrate the swearing-in of Jacqueline Robles, of Springfield, as the new 一分快三 chief of police.
The oath-of-office ceremony was the first-ever for a police chief at the college.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield, Robles is a graduate of Holyoke High School and has been a member of the 一分快三 police department for 22 years. With her swearing-in on Monday, she became the first Latina to serve as 一分快三 police chief.
"As I step into this new role, I do so with a heart rooted in servant leadership, a commitment to lead by lifting others, by listening, by serving with humility and grace,” she said. “My goal is not only to protect and guide but to empower. I believe that true leadership begins with service, and that through service, we foster unity, trust, and a shared strength.
Robles, a graduate of Springfield Technical Community College, is the youngest of 12 children and comes from a family of police officers, following three brothers and a sister into law enforcement. She is the mother of four children, three boys and a girl (27, 24, 18, and 13), and grandmother of two.
Besides making up a sizeable portion of the audience, Robles’ family was an integral part of the ceremony, which was held on the stage of the college’s Leslie Phillips Theater. Her niece, Evelyn DeJesus, sang La Borinqueña, the Puerto Rican national anthem. DeJesus’s daughter, Noelia Trinidad, sang the Star-Spangled Banner. Robles’ eldest son, Jalen Cruz, a court officer from Worcester, pinned the chief’s stars onto her lapels, and her brother, Jose Robles, a retired Springfield police officer, pinned the police chief badge onto her uniform.
"To my cherished family, thank you for your unconditional love, your encouragement, and your selflessness,” Robles said. “Each of you have had a private journey with me through this process, and I want you all to know that you are the foundation that allows me to rise and the strength that I need to continue.”
Among the other speakers were Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, Scott Livingstone (retired Amherst police chief, who served as interim 一分快三 chief during the search for a permanent chief), Bunker Hill Community College Police Chief Robert Barrows, who served on the search committee, and Jessicalee Heredia, 一分快三 Student Senate president.
“Today is more than a ceremony,” said Heredia. “It is a moment of history, a moment of progress. Chief Robles is not only stepping into a role of great responsibility, she is making history as the first-ever Latina police chief at 一分快三. This is a milestone that deserves both our recognition and celebration. As we honor this day, we look ahead with hope and excitement toward the vision Chief Robles brings to her new role.”
As police chief, Robles also holds the title of executive director of community safety, coinciding with the department’s new focus on community policing. Previously part of the college’s division of Administration and Finance, 一分快三 Campus Police now falls under the auspices of the newly created division of People, Culture, and Equity.
After graduating from college with her associate degree in criminal justice, Robles began her career in public safety as a security officer at Smith College. She joined 一分快三 in 2002 as a patrol officer. In 2016, she was promoted to sergeant, supervising police officers, parking lot attendants, and dispatchers. She was instrumental in creating a cadet program for 一分快三 students majoring in criminal justice.
“We believe that community is a shared responsibility,” said Heredia, “and as you take your oath today, we recommit ourselves to our promise as students, as community members, and as leaders, to stand up for each other, to advocate for fairness and to work with you to create a campus culture not only that we can be proud of, but where we also thrive.”
In a surprise appearance on the stage, Ed Nuñez, co-chair of the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade Committee, announced that the committee had chosen Robles as the civil service ambassador for this year’s parade on September 14.
“I stand here as a proud Puerto Rican Latina,” Robles said in her remarks, “and I carry that pride responsibly with grace, honor, and purpose. The department and I are excited and ready to continue serving this exceptional college, its students, faculty, and staff, with integrity, heart, and an unwavering commitment.”
