Former Madison police detective Gloria Reyes stepped into her new role as an assistant to the mayor on Dec. 4, bringing her community connections and passion for the city.

Born in Wautoma as the third child of migrant farm workers, Reyes and her family settled in Madison when she was in third grade. She graduated from East High School and attended Madison Area Technical College before transferring to UW-Madiso n, where she received a bachelors degree in behavioral science and criminal justice in 1997.

Id always known I wanted to get into law enforcement, even as a kid, Reyes said.

As a patrol officer on the South Side, Reyes started Amigos en Azul, an outreach program to Madisons Latino community. She also worked as a community policing officer for the Badger Road and Cypress Way area, increasing her involvement with Centro Hispano.

That was the best position I had within the department because we were able to work together with other agencies and really focus on what the underlying issues are in our community.

In her new position, Reyes will work with the police and fire departments, public health and community services, and with the city attorneys office. She also will act as a liaison to city commissions and committees.

What piqued your interest in behavioral science and criminal justice?

I grew up around Darbo and North Side neighborhoods, and I just remember there was no relationship between law enforcement and our community. ... The only time we saw law enforcement was when there was a serious incident that had happened in the neighborhood, or they were coming to arrest somebody or take them away. Even back then, I was thinking, It shouldnt be like that, its unfair.

But just being a Latina female, that really wasnt a career you could get into. It wasnt until years later, when I saw another Latina detective, it was then that I was like, I can do this.

What is your involvement with Centro Hispano?

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Know Your Madisonian: Gloria Reyes