NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Two NYPD Auxiliary officers were honored by the Consulate General of Japan in New York last week by ambassador Mikio Mori in a commendation ceremony at his Upper East Side Residence, for their work with the consulate and with the Japanese-American community.
Hideki Aida, one of those honored, has been working with the NYPD's 19th Precinct for about 26 years; he is now an auxiliary deputy inspector. The precinct covers the Upper East Side.
Kenichi Satate, has been working with the NYPD's 26th Precinct-- which covers part of the Upper West Side -- for about 17 years, and as a volunteer firefighter with the Harrison Fire Department in Westchester County for 9 years.
"One of most important missions at the consulate is to safeguard the lives of Japanese people in our jurisdiction," ambassador Mori said at the ceremony, which was attended by NYPD and Harrison Fire Department officials, as well as Harrison deputy supervisor/mayor Gina Evangelista.
Mori added, "We are truly grateful for their unwavering support to strengthening the relationship between my office and law enforcement agencies as some of the few Japanese police auxiliary officers and firefighters, so it is therefore my great privilege to present to Mr. Aida and Mr. Satate this certificate for the Consul General's Commendation."
"I am extremely lucky to work at the 19th Precinct under the incredible leadership of executives, mentors, fellow police officers in the past and present," Aida said after receiving the certificate from Mori. "Being an auxiliary police officer gave me an incredible opportunity to be part of the NYPD."
Aida added that he was drawn to becoming an auxiliary police officer "to become part of solution and resolving public safety issues in New York City, and I wondered what I could have done to help our community."
"As the years pass, I have gotten to know these warm, strong, and important NYPD and Harrison Fire Department members and I am honored to be part of them, Satate said after he was presented with his certificate. "I have learned how lucky I am to interact with diverse people from different cultures. I learn new things from people when I patrol streets or respond to a fire incident or natural disaster. The learning process keep me moving forward and connecting with people all the time."