ORLANDO, Fla. – For Migdalisis “Miggy” Garcia, being a Florida Highway Patrol trooper is more than just a job.
Garcia actually started her career in law enforcement by becoming an FHP dispatcher a few years ago.
There, she managed to take calls in English and Spanish.
“At work bringing that in it’s so many people like, ‘hey can you help me out, this person speaks Spanish,’ and just having that connection over the phone and on the road now as a trooper, it’s just, you can see the relief in people,” Garcia said.
Garcia’s family migrated from the Dominican Republic to the Bronx, New York.
That’s where she was born and raised but her calling was here in Central Florida.
She is the first female in her family in law enforcement.
“Speaking Spanish for sure is definitely a blessing. I’m so glad my parents — even though I was born here — they still stuck me in my Dominican culture when it comes to music, speaking the language, everything at home is Dominican,” Garcia said.
Garcia not only became a trooper, but she also joined the public affairs department to help reach the Hispanic community in Central Florida whether that’s through events or social media.
Garcia also helps deliver information to the Spanish media.
She explained it’s about hard work and motivation but overall, it’s about following your heart.
“We have something, and we bring something to the table that other people do not, and we are unique in this field. This is something law enforcement needs in general. Not only a Hispanic woman, but women in general. Black females, Hispanic females, anywhere from anywhere, we just bring a different touch to this that the public needs and approach things differently as well,” she said.
Follow FHP Orlando on social media @FHP_Orlando.
Ezzy Castro spoke with Garcia in Spanish on Trooper Steve on Patrol Thursday. You can watch that interview below.
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