Haitian correctional officers celebrate new group
From left, Deputy Warden, Jean Rene, Recording Secretary, Sandra Germain, Treasurer,
Peggy-Saxton-Jones, fi rst Vice President Bobby Frederique, Borough Director of NYC
Comptroller’s Offi ce, Josue Pierre, Chief of Department, Hazel Jennings, Assembly Member
Rodnyse Bichotte, President, Sardou Augustin, Chief of Staff, Brenda Cooke, Assistant
Deputy, Warden Herns Mitton. NYC Department of Corrections
Caribbean L 8 ife, Jan. 25–31, 2019
PATIENTS’
CHOICE
RATED & AWARDED BY PATIENTS
SM
By Alexandra Simon
Several of the city’s Haitian-
American correctional officers
celebrated the inauguration
of their newly formed fraternal
organization in Queens
on Jan. 18.
Hundreds of guests turned
out for the NYCD Haitian
Society’s inaugural gala at
the Royal Chateau Hall in
Rosedale. The festive event
symbolized a beginning of
the historic forming of such
a group within the New York
Department of Correction,
with the goal of honoring Haitian
culture, said the president
of the group.
“This celebration was for the
inauguration of the Haitian
Society and for the first time
in history, this is the first time
ever organization,” said Captain
Sardou Augustin, a 10-year veteran
of the department.
Over 500 people showed up
to support the event. The large
turnout was much bigger than
expected, that for forthcoming
gatherings, Augustin says they
will likely host in a larger location,
said Augustin.
“I didn’t expect so many people
to show up and moving forward
we’re going to do our gala
in a bigger venue,” he said.
He also says the crowds the
event drew is a testimony to the
organization’s necessity.
The initial idea for the group
sprung up two years ago but
its momentum often dwindled.
After a violent incident involving
two officers of Haitian
descent at a facility — the push
for a group catering to Haitian
culture was propelled.
“It was something that was
always spoken about, but kind
of kept dying away,” he said.
Augustin says one of the
injured officers encouraged
him to revive the idea and
move forth with actualizing it.
Through word of mouth, the
formation of the group started
to gain growing interest among
other Haitian-American members
of the force. And when a
group chat in support of its creation
grew beyond capacity —
he decided to solidify it by filing
paperwork, which was officially
approved by the department’s
commissioner on Dec. 11.
The organizing committee
of the group currently includes
Augustin, who is president,
first vice president, Captain
Bobby Frederique, treasurer,
Peggy Joseph-Saxton, recording
secretary, Sandra Germain,
and sergeant at arms, Captain
Bobby Villette. Like Augustin,
all aforementioned have
worked in corrections at least a
decade or more.
The NYCD Haitian Society
exists to unite people of Haitian
descent within the department
through camaraderie. One the
organization’s goals is offering
community to existing
and incoming, uniformed and
non-uniformed correctional
officers. Although there is an
emphasis on Haitian culture
— members do not necessarily
have to be of Haitian ancestry
to join because they hope to
be an educational experience
as well.
Augustin says the organization
hopes to present and
enlighten fellow members on
Haiti’s history and heritage.
“There’s been a lot of passion
behind this and Haitian
culture embodies the concept
of love, integrity, professionalism,
and support and we wanted
to add it to department and
introduce people to our culture,”
he said.
Some upcoming the events
the group has in the works
include hosting impactful
community-oriented events,
fundraising, and a trip to
Haiti.