In one of the most-important recognitions to come his way after being appointed in August as assistant chief of police of America's Finest, Capt. Cesar Solis is praised as a "role model for all Filipino Americans" by the community's top umbrella organization. At a recent well-attended simple ceremony, Rita Buencamino Andrews, president of the Council of Philippine American Organizations, presented Captain Solis a plaque of recognition for his rare achievement in San Diego.

PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT CHIEF OF SAN DIEGO POLICE

COPAO Bestows Recognition, Calls Capt. Cesar Solis the 'Role Model For All Filipino Americans'

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

The author is a member of the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian-American Journalists Association (AAJA) and National Press Club of the Philippines-USA.

SAN DIEGO -  Police Captain Cesar Solis was cited recently by the Filipino community's top umbrella organization as the "role model for all Filipino Americans" and called his achievement a "rare distinction" in San Diego's multi-ethnic and multi-cultural landscape.

The latest recognition was bestowed on Captain Solis -- recently promoted to assistant chief of San Diego Police Department, America's Finest -- by the Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO) and conferred by its president, Rita Buencamino Andrews in a well-attended simple ceremony at the Villa Manila Restaurant in National City.

Ms. Andrews said Captain Solis, a 27-year police veteran, is "the highest-ranking Filipino American in the history of the San Diego Police Department".

"By his achievements and exemplary service to the community, he has become a role model for all Filipino Americans to emulate," Ms. Andrews stated.

Mr. Solis, son of immigrant parents from Naic, Cavite had dreamt of becoming a fighter pilot but ended up fighting crime as he grew up in San Diego.

PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE - Redefining Community News
BREAKING NEWS -  Exclusive
Volume 2, Issue No. 21 / News Without Fear or Favor /

. . . . . A community service of San Diego's Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or at 619.265.0611) for the information and better understanding of the public. . . . . .

The officers and members of COPAO's 50-plus member-organizations, including those from the Naic Association, attended the evening event, which was also graced by the presence of Assistant Police Chief Solis' family.

Other organizations also planned to recognize Mr. Solis in the coming weeks.

"I am so proud and happy for Captain Solis and his family," said Wilma F. Ventura, owner of The Original Richard's Bakery who also publishes the tabloid-sized The Community Newsletter, the latest publication to join the local media industry.

Ms. Ventura, a 25-year resident of San Diego, said Solis' promotion was a "big morale-booster" for the thousands of Filipino Americans who live in the city, the nation's eighth largest, where Filipinos dominate the multi-cultural Asian communities.

In the Asian Pacific-Islander groups, the promotion of Mr. Solis is seen as a "significant milestone".

"Not only is this great for the department and the community, but it is also a historic occasion -- Cesar is the highest ranking Asian Pacific Islander in the history of the San Diego Police Department," explained Alicia De Leon Torres, national director of the National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse.

Mr. Solis was promoted to captain in 2005 after which he was named commander of the department's southeastern district. From there, he was plucked and appointed to his current post as assistant chief of police. # # #