BY ALBERTO SURÍS & DALIA DÍAZ
rumbonews.com

Several hundred people filled the first floor of Lawrence City Hall, with many watching from the upper floors the swear-in ceremony of Melix Bonilla, the first Latino to become Lawrence Acting Deputy Chief.

"It is with great honor that I promote Sgt. Melix Bonilla to the position of Acting Deputy Chief. Though this promotion took effect on Friday January 8th, today (January 15th) is an opportunity to have many more residents of our community witness such a historic promotion," said Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua.

Lydia is all smiles while her husband, the new Acting Deputy Chief addresses the crowd. Pictured at center is Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua.

Bonilla was accompanied by his wife Lydia, and three of their children, Melix Jr., Jamel, Maria and two grandchildren, Jhared and Aiden.

"I'm a people's person. I belong to the city," said Bonilla during his brief speech. Bonilla said that people come to the station to see him about immigration and that he has been invited to quinceañeras. He said that Chief Romero knows all of these and wants him to be involved with the community.

Melix Bonilla was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and came to the United States in 1978 at the young age of thirteen. Melix put himself through high school in Lawrence earning later a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Springfield College.

In 1986, Melix worked as a teacher's aid for the Lawrence School Department and shortly thereafter began his career in Law Enforcement in 1987 with Lawrence Housing Authority, serving as a Police Officer.

In 1989, Melix was hired by the Lawrence Police Department and his many assignments have included but are not limited to the patrol division, member of the first community police unit, school resource officer, and a coordinator of the DARE program for the Lawrence Public Schools.

In 1999, Melix was promoted to the position of Sergeant and assigned to the patrol division. In 2002, Chief John Romero assigned Melix Bonilla to head up the newly formed Hackney Division of the Lawrence Police Department. As supervisor of the Hackney Division, Melix Bonilla was responsible for revamping and reorganizing the alternative transportation system for the entire city.

After much research and review, Melix re-wrote the Lawrence Municipal Code regarding taxis and liveries and established a Medallion Program city-wide.

Melix worked closely with the Lawrence City Council Ordinance Committee, business owners, and the community at- large to bring about much needed changes to our taxi/livery program operating in the City of Lawrence. Most recently, Melix Bonilla received accolades from the outgoing Lawrence City Council regarding his due diligence and professionalism in this Medallion Program.

Under the leadership and supervision of Melix Bonilla, this industry is now in complete compliance with city ordinance and the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

"As you can see by his background both in education and experience, Melix Bonilla has earned the position of Acting Deputy Chief and today is a great day for the City of Lawrence as Melix will work hand in hand with all residents of our city in an effort to have better relations between our men and women in uniform and our everyday citizenry," said Mayor Lantigua.

"I'm a proud owner of a small house in Tower Hill were we live. I work in Lawrence and I spend my money here, and I will protect the civil rights of the citizens of this city that I love so much," ended Bonilla.

Bonilla has been appointed as Acting (Deputy Chief) for the next 90 days. According to the City Charter, He will have to appear before the city council to be named permanently.