Former Hartford police officer turned author and actor shares his story of resilience – NBC Connecticut

Roberto Alfaro vividly remembers his childhood in New York in the 1960s and 1970s.

“I grew up in one of the worst gang- and drug-infested neighborhoods in the South Bronx,” said Alfaro, who lives in Hamden.

It was hard at home.

““My father was a violent alcoholic and made us run from one neighbor’s house to another in fear for our lives,” Alfaro said.

In school, Alfaro was a shy student and had problems with bullies. He still remembers one particular student who changed his life.

“In the end, he beat me so badly after school that I ended up in the emergency room. That’s when I said, that’s enough,” Alfaro said.

Alfaro started boxing, but it always attracted the wrong audience and he dropped out of school.

“Fortunately, some mentors have come into my life,” Alfaro said.

Alfaro’s life began to change for the better. He was the first in his family to go to college. He later moved to Connecticut and became a police officer in Hartford.

“Everything I saw in my childhood, all the crimes and all the people who were killed and friends I lost – I wanted to make a change,” Alfaro said.

Alfaro served in the department for more than two decades, first as a patrol officer and then in the mounted unit.

“My whole life it has been my dream to become a police officer,” Alfaro said.

In Alfaro’s Hamden home, there is a wall dedicated to all the awards he has received, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for being a founding member of the Hispanic Officer Association, which worked to promote Hispanics in police service.

“The kids need to see this on the streets of Hartford, where Hispanics are rebelling. “One day I can be a sergeant,” Alfaro said.

A decorated officer, Alfaro inspired one of his sons to follow in his footsteps.

“He graduates from the Bristol Police Department in two days,” Alfaro said.

In addition to his award, Alfaro has held many other titles in his life, including salsa teacher, motivational speaker, professional model and actor. He has played supporting roles in approximately 80 films and television shows.

“Being on the big screen, on TV, because other people see that and say wow, that guy is on TV and wow, if he made it, just the visibility aspect,” Alfaro said.

Alfaro published his memoir, Overcoming Obstacles in My Life, in the hope of showing people that there are possibilities outside of the circumstances into which one is born.

“I grew up in a really bad neighborhood and was traumatized by the violence at home and the bullying I experienced there, but I’m here,” Alfaro said. “And that’s what I’m doing now: I’m going around telling my story and hopefully making a difference in other people’s lives.”