By: Jaury Mendela Jean-Enard
Special to LE FLORIDIEN
When Officer Stéphane Hyppolite started working with North Miami Police Department, the years of playing soccer in Haiti and Miami would prove useful in unimaginable ways.
Hyppolite, 43, came to the U.S. in 1991 at the age of 16 when playing soccer was all he knew. In Haiti, he played for fun and hung out at Stade Sylvio Cator where the prominent national Haitian soccer team – Violette Athletic Club – would play. Hyppolite has been playing soccer since he was five years old. As for most Haitians, playing soccer is one of the few recreational activities available. In some cases, it can be the only recreational activity. Soccer is to Haitians what Sunday night football is to Americans and what hockey is to Canadians. In short,: for many Haitians, soccer is life. Little did Stéphane know that soccer would be his ticket to higher education and his professional career as a law enforcement officer.
“I’ve loved soccer my entire life,” said Stéphane .
“I played for fun and I can play soccer in my sleep,” he continued. “But when I found out I could get a scholarship for playing and my parents wouldn’t have to pay a dime, it was like an honor.”
After graduating from Columbia High School in Missouri in 1993, Mr. Hyppolite received a scholarship to attend Saint Thomas University in Miami. He studied Criminal Justice and graduated four years later. During his studies he never lost touch with his love for soccer. He always made time to hang out with friends, attend soccer practice and even play at several parks.
About a year before graduation a friend invited him to practice at a different park. Upon arrival, and to his surprise, he was greeted by some of Haiti’s best-known soccer players who won several titles and toured the world. Although they were retired, they continued playing with a Miami-based team with a spin-off name, Violette. This is when Stéphane Hyppolite was introduced to the Haitian community where he made new friends with some of Haiti’s most notable soccer players.
“Imagine what it’s like to play basketball with Kobe Bryant, even though he’s retired,” said Stéphane . “I grew up seeing these guys represent their country and I’m so fortunate to have played with them.” One such player was the late Rosemond Pierre, aka Ti Rozmon (Little Rozmon) whose nickname is attributed to his short height and incredible speed. Pierre was a midfielder for the national Haitian league, Aigle Noir, and went on to coach and lead Real Hope Football Academy to numerous victories. Hyppolite and Violette won the Copa Latina and Madame Gougousse tournament in 1998 and 2000 respectively.
By the year 2000, when Stéphane started working for the North Miami Police Department, he was already well-known in his community. This made his job both easy and challenging. Whereas he would play soccer on the field, now he was securing the soccer field. How do you reprimand, check or otherwise arrest the same guys you would play soccer with or who would cheer you on? How do you resolve conflict in the same community that sees you as a star?
“It’s a blessing that I had the opportunity to engage with the community before becoming a police officer. When I respond to a call, people would often tell me their whole life story because they feel comfortable with me,” explained Officer Hyppolite. “But sometimes I may have to arrest a person I used to laugh with before I became an officer; and that’s hard. Other times, knowing the Haitian culture makes it easier.”
When a fight nearly took place during a tournament at FIU (Florida International University) Stadium, Officer Hyppolite had to make a quick and bold decision to prevent an argument from escalating. Usually, an officer is not allowed on the soccer field; he/she must stay in the stands. But when the two teams had an altercation, Officer Hyppolite stepped in to maintain the situation.
“My job is to make sure that everybody is safe. And if I have to step on the field to do that, I will do it.”
For most people, he explains, stepping onto the field could have escalated the situation. But his existing relationship with the community allowed him to keep that from happening. His years of playing soccer and knowing the community earned him their respect.
“I treat people the same way whether I’m in uniform or not,” explained Officer Hyppolite. “I remain the same friendly person, but I have a job to do.”
Of all his experiences, the one he says he’s most proud of is having had the chance to give back to the country that saw him play soccer as a little boy. In December 2017, North Miami Chief of Police, Larry Juriga asked Officer Hyppolite to accompany him and a small group to Haiti for police training with a new unit of the Haitian National Police. The training would focus on ethics and basic law enforcement training in Arcahaie (a commune in West department of Haiti, and sister-city of North Miami).
Our motto of “Making a positive impact” is one that every member of the department is committed to in every task performe.
“I was honored to be asked to return to work in my country,” recalled Officer Hyppolite.
Sadly, Arcahaie would be the place where Rosemond Pierre aka Ti Rozmon would pass away just last September. The former midfielder and coach would take his last breath on his way to Port-au-Prince after leading his team to victory in Cap-Haitian (on the northern coast of Haiti). The late coach Pierre was a victim of violence and insecurities on the roadways.
Although his job can be dangerous, Officer Hyppolite advises anyone interested in becoming a law enforcement officer that they should do it for the love of helping their community and not to put on a nice uniform.
“The work I do is in great part a result of the great job my unit in North Miami is doing. It brings me joy to engage with the community the way that I do.”
Officer Stéphane Hyppolite serves in the Community Services Section where he constantly engages with schools, businesses, and civilians in their everyday lives. Officer Hyppolite is married to his high school sweetheart. They have four children – two boys and two girls. He is working on being promoted to sergeant.
Having the opportunity to share in his experiences helps us realize just how amazing our Haitian-American community is. It’s people like Officer Hyppolite that brighten each day and fill us with hope that there is an even greater tomorrow waiting, and each of us can be a part of reaching that dream.
Proud to call you my brother much love and keep doing what you are doing.