Hispanic Heritage Month Profile
The FBI's Hispanic Footprint
Zully Roman
LOS ANGELES - Just a little over two decades ago, there were only about three 'Garcías' on the rosters of the FBI. Today one of them, Richard T. García, has become one of the highest-level Latino officials in a U.S. federal agency.
Like a character in a police procedural movie, García, 50, has come face-to-face with organized crime as an undercover agent in Miami and Puerto Rico. While posing as a businessman, he infiltrated the Colombian drug cartels. He has led operations against terrorism and child pornography, defying danger and even death.
Hollywood is not unfamiliar to him either. García has consulted for espionage films and he maintains a close yet discreet relationship with the film industry.
"I still pinch myself to make sure I'm awake, that this is real," he confesses from his office in Los Angeles, where he holds a key position in the FBI's third most important office, with 1,200 employees reporting to him.
In his new job as assistant director, García also has responsibilities outside the American territories such as in the Pacific Basin, Australia, and even Greece, where he worked closely with authorities on security for the Olympic Games in Athens.
"My new position is a gift for my parents, who always hoped I would become an honorable man. And… it is also an example for Latinos in the quest of success."
His talent and perseverance have been constant companions. Although he has endured two divorces, he is confident in the success of his third marriage. He has a son serving in the Armed Forces.
His path has not been easy. His battle began in the streets, working as a police officer in Dallas, Texas, in 1975. His FBI adventure began five years later. And, along with it started his other battle: aspiring to better work opportunities and better positions within the agency he admires and respects so much.
"When I started with the FBI, there were only three Garcías; now 12 percent are Latinos throughout the entire agency," the veteran agent said. García also recognizes that part of this achievement is due to outreach work with communities, civil rights advocates, and schools, to promote the recruiting of new Latino agents.
But things used to be quite different. In the late 1980s, García and about 300 other agents filed a discrimination lawsuit against several police agencies in El Paso, Texas. Their victory introduced new procedures that benefited Latinos in the police organizations across the country.
Nevertheless, García insists that the FBI still needs more Latinos. "We need more Spanish-speaking investigators," he said.
García admits that discrimination still prevails on the streets and in workplaces. In private, he confesses that people see him differently when he claims to be an FBI agent, "my Latin name doesn't tell them anything; it is my name preceded by a title what makes the difference. However, I'm proud of who I am and where I come from. No one can take that away from me."
Over three decades, García has received numerous awards for his fight against crime. He was in charge of an anti-narcotics intelligence squadron in Washington's Central Office. He was assigned to offices in El Paso and Houston, Texas, in addition to Miami, Florida, and Puerto Rico.
Among his most renowned achievements is "Cat-com," considered to be one of the most successful undercover operations conducted by a U.S. agency against drug trafficking. This famous investigation resulted in the arrest of over 90 people and the confiscation of more than 10 tons of drugs and several hundred millions in cash and assets.
The operation took place at the end of the 1980s. García impersonated a businessman supplying sophisticated electronic and communications equipment to the drug cartel in Medellín, Colombia. The dangerous task earned him merit awards from the U.S. District Attorney's Office.
García still remembers the disappearance and cruel assassination of some of his informants during the 18-month operation.
The investigation concluded with the capture of the most-wanted former chief of police in Mexico, Arturo Durazo Moreno, known as El Negro, as well as with the unveiling of other criminal organizations within and outside U.S. territory, and recently, with the capture of criminals who murdered minors and the recovery of kidnapped children.
But the war against terrorism continues to be a priority for the FBI's 56 offices in the country and 45 locations abroad.
García recognizes that after the 9/11 attacks and the passing of the U.S. Patriot Act, which validates the application of the FBI's investigative powers, community fear and distrust have increased. So he strives to work closely with community leaders and civil rights advocates.
"Thanks to this relationship, we have opened new channels of communication. This is how we can count on the general population's help during our investigations. We get phone calls 24 hours a day and anonymous reports via the Internet. We are very close to the people, especially to minorities," he said.
García is satisfied with his achievements. "My success is based on my determination to do things right, my imagination to solve the most complex investigations, and my ability to know when to act."
From AOL Latino Noticias