The Evanston Police Department relaunched its Hispanic Liaison Officer Program, which aims to create better communication with Evanston’s Latinx population.

EPD’s previous Hispanic Liaison Officer retired last year, and after a selection process, the department assigned officers Cesar Galindo and Ivan Reza to both serve in the position, according to a Monday EPD news release. Police sergeant Anthony Correa will serve as the program’s supervisor.

EPD has expressed the need to strengthen the relationship between officers and Evanston’s Latinx community, particularly in the wake of deportation threats from the Trump administration. At a city event earlier this month, Correa said the department is working to increase its role in protecting Latinx residents.

“We have responsibilities with maintaining constant and consistent communication with the Latino community,” Correa told The Daily on Oct. 3. “We are hearing their needs, bringing those needs to the police department, providing them resources, providing them a voice.”

Galindo is currently assigned to patrol operations and has been with EPD for one year. Reza, who has been with the department for nine years, is also assigned to patrol operations and is a U.S. Army Veteran.

The goals and duties of the program are to “bridge the gap” as well as build and maintain trust between EPD and Evanston’s Latinx community; seek out information relating to crimes and concerns of the Hispanic community; advise the community of their rights and responsibilities as well as other available resources; attend community meetings and work with “different Hispanic community resources,” according to the release.

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