Congratulations, AISD Police Department!

AISD Police Captain Eric Mendez and Chief Ernesto Riojas

I was very proud to learn today that AISD's Police Department has been chosen as the 2010 Public Employer of the Year by the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. 


Police Chief Ernesto Riojas said that he's pleased that the employment practices of AISD and our Police Department are consistent with community values on a strong and diverse work force. 

The award, based on a selection by a panel of judges, will be presented tomorrow (Wednesday) at the 31st Annual Disability Employment Awards and Recognition Program. The program's keynote speaker will be Jim Harrington, Executive Director of the Texas Civil Rights Project. 

I really like this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme, Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity includes Workers with Disabilities. That's an important message because it recognizes that we all have the ability to make significant contributions to our community. 

I applaud our AISD Police Department for putting this principle into action, and urge all employers to increase their workforce diversity by hiring individuals who have disabilities, and also much-needed talent!