ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — According to the 2020 census there is roughly more than 20,000 Hispanics living in St. Petersburg, a population that continues to grow.

It’s prompting the city's police department to hire more Hispanics and most importantly people who are bilingual.

What You Need To Know

  •  St. Petersburg Police Department looking to hire more Hispanic officers
  •  The department hopes with more bilingual people on their team it will break language-barriers they face
  •  Officer Osvaldo Sicairos is one officer who shares why it’s important to have the department represent the population

Officer Osvaldo Sicairos has been with the department for four years now. He said his job is more than just responding to calls and arresting people.

“I particularly try to take every opportunity I can to interact with kids that grew up just like I did,” he said.

Officer Sicairos is one of 58 Hispanic officers currently employed with the St. Petersburg Police Department. He feels as a Mexican-American it’s his job to encourage his Hispanic community.

“I want them to know that there are opportunities out there that they can do the things that they want to do,” he said.

Part of his job includes interacting with people who may not speak English. “A lot of times I find myself helping other officers that don’t speak Spanish," said Sicairos. "Whether it be at a minor crash where the driver is Hispanic and doesn’t speak English."

He also believes it’s important that the department reflects the population. “When they see people like themselves in certain position it kind of gives them that idea that they can do whatever it is they want to do.”

With more Hispanic officers he says it will mean more trust. “I’m trying to interact with them and let them see that we are approachable and that we are somebody they can count on that they can call 911 and there is going to be someone that speaks Spanish and will help them with whatever issue they have.”