Suffolk County Police Department Promotes Highest Ranking Spanish Speaking Female Officer

Deputy Inspector Milagros Soto, a 28-year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department, was recently promoted to second-in-command of the Third Precinct, making her the department's highest ranking Spanish-speaking female officer.

Soto will be joining the precinct following the six unsolved gang killings in Brentwood.

In her new position, she plans to focus on decreasing the crime within the precinct as well as building a relationship with the community especially with Spanish-speaking residents who are hesitant in reporting crimes to police, according to a report in Newsday.

“I take it as a tremendous honor to be selected to go to the Third Precinct,” Soto told Newsday. “I know that’s one of the precincts that has one of the largest Hispanic communities and I look forward to the opportunity to engage with that community and ease any concerns that they may have. In this climate, I think it’s very important to reach out to the community, have their support.”

She joined the department in 1988.

She has served in the Internal Affairs Bureau, Sixth Precinct Crime Section, Communications Section, and in the Sixth and Fourth Precincts as a patrol officer, working alongside the community to keep residents safe.

In addition, Soto comes from a family of law enforcement officers, with two brothers and a niece who served in the NYPD.

"Deputy Inspector Soto deeply cares for the people of the communities she serves and that is reflected in her impressive 28-year background which includes 13 years as a patrol officer and Sergeant, various supervisory capacities in internal affairs and in investigative work,” Commissioner Timothy D, Sini. "The Third Precinct and its residents are incredibly fortunate to have a strong leader and have no doubt her leadership will benefit the hardworking officers in the Third Precinct and all of its community members."

Photo: Facebook.com/Suffolk County Police Department