About 150 Albanians serve in the New York police, who also have their own association called Illyria. Gathering Monday night at the New York Police Department's premises, they celebrated their commitment to maintaining order in America's largest city.
15 years ago, only 20 Albanian-Americans were part of the New York police.
Now their number has multiplied.
“Today we have 150 Albanian police officers here. We have teamed up to form the Illyrian Society group to keep in mind and help each other every day. The great pride is that we are Albanians, that we are celebrating here today because families taught us to speak Albanian, that we are Albanians and that we are dying Albanians, ”Lutfi Dalipi, captain of the New York Police Force, told to Voice of America.
The number of Albanians was the reason for the holiday organized by the Illyrian Society in this American city.
The first event organized at the New York police headquarters by the Illyria Association also spoke with New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill, who did not just thank the police for the service.
“Thank you for your work in maintaining security in the city. As the family members who are here tonight, thank you for your support, because without this support, it would be impossible. Whenever your relatives in uniform leave the house, you pray that they will return home safely. Thank you for being here. As men and women in uniform, thank you for the work you do every day. You changed the city,” New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill said in his speech.