Angela Negrin

Officer Angela Negrin has been with the Gallatin Police Department almost two years and for the last six months on her off she has been involved with the Hispanic outreach program offered through the Sumner County Health Department.

Negrin, a native of Puerto Rico, helps Hispanics study for their driver's license test and then she coordinates with the department of safety for them to take the test.

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Negrin said the biggest problem with Hispanics traffic violators is that they do not have a driver's license.

"They are taught the basic laws of the road, DUI, correct seat belt, child restraint and the signs are explained, what they mean and what the colors mean," said Negrin.

"They all speak Spanish, so the classes are taught in Spanish."

Negrin said they use the driver's license handbook that is in Spanish.

"There is a big language barrier when they try to go take the test," said Negrin.

The dialect is different and the comprehension level is not there, she said.

The classes are offered two days a week for two hours each class.They are required to take five classes, after the fifth class they take the driver license test.

In order for them to take the class they have to have all of their paperwork, which, is a birth certificate and proof of residency.

Negrin said these classes are important because if they don't have a driver's license, then they don't have car insurance.

"Try to make it easier for the citizens and us (police department)," said Negrin.

In addition to her Hispanic outreach work, Negrin also assists other officers by translating Spanish for them when they need to speak to someone who does not speak English.

"I'm proud to be able to help them, make it easier and to give them the help they need," said Negrin.

Negrin receives a lot of support from other officers.

"They support everything I do, they have given me total support the chief and supervisors," said Negrin.

Sgt. Kate Novitsky referred to Negrin as an "asset."
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"I'm excited to be able to help, glad to show them the police department is here to help you not just arrest you," said Negrin.

If you don't ask her, Angela Negrin probably won't ever tell you she is the first Hispanic police officer to work in Gallatin.

The soft-spoken yet confident native of Puerto Rico isn't so concerned with being remembered in a history book.

She is content with being, and prefers to be so distinguished, as simply a role model.

"I've always wanted to do it," Negrin, 33, said about being a police officer.

"Being a mother, I feel like I can make a difference for my children.It's a good role model for the kids.They love it."

The Gallatin Police Department hired Negrin in July.

Before becoming a police officer, Negrin worked at Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville for a year and a half.She tracked all inmates with either court dates, visitation or any other kind of appointments.
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The second was hired after Negrin.

Officer Angie Negrin had a hearing last Friday, but before any action could be taken, she resigned.
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Negrin is the sixth Gallatin officer to resign after internal investigations revealed things such as not reporting questionable incidents, serious errors in judgment and allowing officers to watch pornographic material and pass around nude images around the police department.

Negrin's personnel file reveals that she received verbal warnings over an incident where a citizen complained that she was rude and yelling during a traffic stop.Another incident was reported that Negrin sprayed a resident with pepper spray then refused medical assistance to the person after 22 requests.

Also included in Negrin's file are 16 commendations that cite her for everything from arresting robbers to her performance during the tornado of 2006.

Gallatin Police Chief John Tisdale has said in the past that he would not tolerate any inappropriate behavior by officers, and Graves agreed.

"I support Chief Tisdale's efforts to make sure that he has the best officers working for him," she said.

Negrin did not return phone calls.

Previous Stories:

December 20, 2006: Former Gallatin Officer Says He Was Forced Out November 13, 2006: Sex With Minor May Have Led To Police Resignations

Gallatin Police Officer Angela Negrin and her husband, Trooper Jose Negrin pass each other sometime during their patrols of Sumner County.
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Angela Negrin, a native of Puerto Rico, is Gallatin's first Hispanic police officer.

If you don't ask her, Angela Negrin probably won't ever tell you she's the first Hispanic police officer to work in Gallatin.

And you'll have to press her to get her to tell you about the 78 tickets she wrote during her first week in uniform.

The soft-spoken, yet confident, 33-year-old native of Puerto Rico, isn't so concerned with being remembered in a history book.She's content with being, and prefers to be so distinguished, as simply, a role model.

"I've always wanted to do it," Negrin said about being a police officer."Being a mother, I feel like I can make a difference for my children.It's a good role model for the kids.They love it."

Negrin, who was hired by the Gallatin police department in July, said making the city's streets "safer" is what she likes most about her new career.
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While Angela Negrin in reluctant to talk about herself, Gallatin Police Chief John Tisdale doesn't mind talking about her value to the police department.
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"They're (Negrin and Gautreaux) going to be a great asset ... they'll be our bridge to the Spanish speaking community."
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"I'll be at a traffic stop and all of a sudden my phone rings, and he'll be like, 'you know you can write him up for this,'" Angela Negrin said.

She feels her new job is something members of the Hispanic community value.
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Negrin has even helped out in city court as a translator.
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But Negrin is quick to give her grandparents all the credit for her accomplishments.

"I was raised by my grandparents.I can honestly say that I owe them what I am today," she said.

And you don't have to twist Negrin's arm to get her to recognize the members of her new extended family, who have helped her in her new career.

"I work with a great group of people," she said about the Gallatin police department.