SANDRA ACEVEDO GREW UP IN CICERO • GRADUATED FROM CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY • PLAYED RUGBY IN HIGH SCHOOL, LACROSSE IN COLLEGE • CHILD OF IMMIGRANT PARENTS
After two ambulance visits to Hinsdale Central on Friday morning, the school's new student resource officer Sandra Acevedo was thankful the incidents were minor and for the subsequent calm.
"I don't think there's ever typical day," Acevedo said. "Every day's a little bit different. I'm still trying to get my bearings the first few weeks in."
For a good part of the day she can found in her office inside the school bookstore keeping an eye on closed circuit cameras and looking over reports. Students and colleagues may drop by from time to time to chat - or to get their chocolate chip cookie fix.
"I love baking. It's my favorite pastime," she said.
During her student days, Acevedo was torn between nursing and law enforcement as she contemplated her post-high school path. Serving others was a central value, and Acevedo witnessed the intentional way police officers in her neighborhood built relationships with her and her peers.
"It drew my attention to how amazing they were with the community," she said. "So I asked them, 'What do I do to get into this position?' "
Get a bachelor's degree in field, she was told. Acevedo's professional pursuit was confirmed through a college internship with the Lombard Police Department.
"I ended up using my skills for translation or assisting and speaking with a victim or going out to speak to juveniles," she related. "I ended up falling love with the job.
"Usually when people deal with us, it's the worst day of their lives. So I wanted to be part of that reassurance and give be a part of that culture," Acevedo continued.
Hired by the Hinsdale Police Department nearly five years ago, she got to know the town as a patrol officer. Both her training officer and a cohort in another suburban department had extolled the rewards of the SRO role, so she applied and was hired. Working as a youth lacrosse coach in the area has enriched Acevedo's rapport with teens, and she's learning to navigate the administrative world.
"I'm not just dealing with kids, I'm dealing with adults, people older than me," Acevedo said. "I feel like everyone's on the same team. I can express my concerns about something and I'm heard."
She's also thankful for her security crew made up mainly of retired police officers.
"They trust my decisions. It's actually pretty nice to have that feeling," she said.
An area of emphasis has been getting first responder units from Hinsdale and surrounding towns into Central to familiarize themselves with the site. One 20-year veteran from a neighboring town's fire department said he'd never set foot in the building.
"I think it's beneficial for them to orient themselves," she said.
Acevedo attends large-scale after-school events, and even when there's no school she's working, whether at the school or the police department.
"We're busy, we're always doing something and investigating something happening in the school," she said.
Being a woman and minority in the high-visibility post is gratification for Acevedo.
"It does make me really proud that I'm here and representing Hinsdale PD and being able to be myself with the students," she said. "It feels nice."
- story by Ken Knutson, photo by Jim Slonoff
