Two women made history in the Camden County Police Department by flipping the customary patrilineage script of policing traditions. The duo is the first mother and daughter to serve on the police force of the city.
Police Lieutenant Linda Alicea shared to CBS Local that she spent her childhood in Camden with the only dream of becoming a police officer. "This is where I grew up at. This is where I rode my big wheel," she narrated.
"I had the law enforcement family, role models and just seeing them begin their careers, it was amazing to me at a young age," Alicea added. "I couldn't even imagine anything else."
Her daughter, Cynthia Melendez, shared that she also picked up the same dream at a young age while observing her mother patrolling the streets. Melendez said that her mother has been her inspiration why she decided to serve the department.
"What drew me to be a police officer was my mother," Melendez stated. "Just watching her live her dream and she was just a big influence in my life."
With her mother having a commanding rank, Melendez clarified that there is no special treatment from her mother and fellow officers. "I feel like they don't look at me and treat me different because of her rank."
For her part, Alicea said that she always tries not to worry about her daughter. "I guess I had that law enforcement mentality where you have to understand there is a possibility that you may not come home and the fact that I support my daughter and her law enforcement career, I have to accept that also."
According to NJ, Alicea also made history last year after becoming the first Latina in the department to reach the rank of lieutenant. She is the commander of the city's Third District while her daughter often works patrolling the First District at night.
"It's a sacrifice," Alicea expressed. "You just hope you're both going to come home at the end of the day."
