For a decade, the number of Albanians in US law enforcement agencies was around 200. According to the “Albanian-American Law Enforcement Association,” as of 2023, this figure has reached over 700. Voice of America interviewed several members of law enforcement in New Jersey and New York who discuss the challenges of their careers and the importance of increasing the number of Albanian-Americans in blue uniforms.
34-year-old Vezir Sela began his career in US law enforcement 15 years ago.
Today, he is an officer in the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey, a high-risk job that is vital for community safety.
Bergen County consists of 70 municipalities and is the most populous county in New Jersey.
“You never know where you’re going. It depends on the nature of the crime and the people involved. We have to make sure all our equipment is functional. The body camera needs to be charged. Our vehicles are equipped with everything, from medical aid to weapons, computers, and other things” says Officer Sela.
In an interview with Voice of America, the US-born officer talks about the challenges in the early days of his career when he was only 19 years old.
“I am the first in my family to become part of law enforcement. I didn’t know what awaited me. I didn’t know where I was going. In the police academy, I didn’t know how to run, how to shoot a gun. It was a great challenge for six months. It required a lot of work and dedication. I had the mindset of a young person. But I’m happy that I started my career at a young age” he says.
Over the years, the number of Sela family members in US law enforcement has increased.
Hadis Sela is a SWAT officer in the Hudson County municipality in New Jersey.
Adem Sela is a detective in the Prosecutor’s Office in the Passaic County municipality in New Jersey.
“In general, there are six members of the Sela family who are police officers in New Jersey. We are in different municipalities. This is a professional job that requires dignity and a lot of work. It is a recognized job, unlike other jobs, so the respect is greater” says Officer Hadis Sela.
“It is a very important duty for us Albanians to show that we are hardworking people. That we are ready to serve this country, the Albanian-American community, and other communities as well. We hope that other Albanians will join law enforcement agencies. As a job, it is a wonderful career, you meet many people, and deal with many things. No day is monotonous” says Albanian-American detective Adem Sela.
Increasing the number of Albanian-Americans in law enforcement is one of the main goals of the Albanian-American Law Enforcement Association, founded in 2019, an international organization that supports Albanians who want to pursue a career in American policing.
“Now we are like night and day. Before, when we needed experience or advice, we couldn’t find it. Now it’s very simple” says Elton Shametaj, the association’s founder.
According to Mr. Shametaj, a decade ago, the number of Albanian-American police officers was around 200, but now it has exceeded 700 members.
He says that nearly one in 30 members is a woman.
Overall, Mr. Shametaj adds, the association has about 2,000 applications from Albanian-Americans interested in joining law enforcement agencies.
“Thank God, here in America, the sky is the limit. We, like everyone else, are well integrated. Albanians could complain before, but now we have them in the White House, at the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives), the Department of Justice, Albanians are everywhere” says the founder of the organization, Elton Shametaj.
These law enforcement officers, although most of them were born in the United States, have strong connections to Albanian-Americans through their participation in almost every community organization.
“My father taught me not to forget our nation, not to forget our country and our tradition. To know your language, because we are Albanians. Don’t forget your heritage, be close to our country, and let’s be together to progress as Albanians” says Albanian-American Azmi Toska, who has served as a police officer in the Hudson County municipality in New Jersey for eight years.
According to them, as the number of Albanians in law enforcement increases, the perception of Albanians in American society is also changing.
“Every country has citizens involved in various criminal activities. Albanians, in every movie we’ve seen, have been portrayed as criminals, which is not true. We are family-oriented people, we are hardworking individuals. Engagement in law enforcement is a career we should be proud of. It requires courage, pride, and dedication” says Altin Çeloaliaj, a detective in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
“The labels that were put on us as Albanians when we first arrived were only temporary. We are showing ourselves in these ongoing years who we really are. We are law-abiding citizens, we want good jobs, and we want to do something useful” adds Besmir Sajdarasi, a police officer in Staten Island, New York.
The Albanian-American Law Enforcement Association also serves as a bridge between US law enforcement agencies and the police forces in Albania and Kosovo./VOA
