Tag Archive for: AAPI Month

Meet Criminal Legal Secretary Kaitlyn Kueter

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is observed throughout the month of May, we are featuring stories of DA employees, what inspired them to pursue a career in public service and their contributions at the DA’s Office.

Meet Criminal Legal Secretary Kaitlyn Kueter, who began working at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in 2016 as a Student Worker. She eventually came onboard full time in 2018 when she started working with the DA’s Victim Services, where she discovered her passion for helping victims. Five years later, she is now a Criminal Legal Secretary at One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center working alongside others that have the same passion for helping victims and seeing them get back on their feet. Her current role at One Safe Place includes working closely with partnering agencies like Palomar Health, the FBI, HHSA and many more with any trainings, interviews, conferences, and events they want to host at the center. She assists others on her team with an extra hand whether it’s in reception, the child waiting room or any of the conference rooms. Read more about what inspired Kaitlyn to pursue career in law enforcement at the DA’s Office, below.

What inspired you to choose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office?

“Growing up, my parents taught me how to become a big advocate for helping others, so I learned pretty early on that I wanted to play a part in making a difference in a someone’s life, even if that meant working behind the scenes. In my current position at the DA’s office, I am glad that I can help others on our team succeed in changing someone’s life.”

What is your favorite part of the job?

“My favorite part of this job is walking around One Safe Place and seeing a victim’s demeanor go from being helpless to becoming hopeful and happy. Knowing that I work with such an amazing team to get them to that point is extremely fulfilling!”

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Month mean to you/why is it important to you?

“To me, AAPI month is a chance to reflect on the sacrifices my grandparents made coming to America. If it wasn’t for their sacrifice, I would not be where I’m at today. AAPI month is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to show people what’s special with my culture, the contributions and the influences made through our traditions. It’s also a reminder to myself that I am just as much Chinese as I am Caucasian.”

 

Meet Deputy DA Melissa Ocampo

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is observed throughout the month of May, we are featuring stories of DA employees, what inspired them to pursue a career in public service and their contributions at the DA’s Office.

Meet Deputy District Attorney Melissa Ocampo, who began her career at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in 2010 as a certified legal intern in the Gang Unit and then became a graduate law clerk in 2011.  She officially became a Deputy District Attorney in November 2012. Melissa is currently a Deputy DA in the North County Branch where she prosecutes vertical hate crimes and general felonies. Read more about what inspired Melissa to pursue career in law enforcement at the DA’s Office, below.

What inspired you to choose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office?
“I am a proud San Diego native and have always wanted to dedicate myself to a career serving others in our community. When someone becomes a victim of crime it can be very traumatizing and violating of one’s sense of safety. For some, it can become the darkest hour of their lives. Crime also causes a rippling effect, not only affecting the individual victim but the community as a whole. I chose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office because it allows me to represent the People of a community I love and to be the light for victims in their hour of darkness. San Diego is also a very diverse county with a large Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) presence.  As a Filipina American, I strive to be someone the People can trust to be their voice, especially those of AAPI decent who might otherwise be unfamiliar or hesitant to be involved in the criminal prosecution process.”

What is your favorite part of the job? 
“As a Deputy District Attorney, I get to make a difference in the lives of others daily. From being a staunch advocate for crime victims, to being a fair and ethical prosecutor handling a defendant’s case, I get to do the right thing each and every day and to proudly answer up on behalf of the People.”

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Month mean to you/why is it important to you? 

“Historically, AAPI’s have been lumped together into a singular group – ‘Asians.’ However, AAPI’s are comprised of a diverse group of people across roughly 50 ethnic groups (with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries) with rich histories, cultures, and traditions. AAPI’s deserve to be celebrated, recognized, and promoted for their contributions to this country, then and now. Growing up as a Filipina American of immigrant parents, I have experienced firsthand and been witness to overt and implicit instances of discrimination and bias. AAPI month is important to me because it is a time for all of us to come together to honor AAPI contributions to society, celebrate our diversity, and teach about our histories and culture. In light of the recent rise in anti-AAPI hate crimes and incidents, there is now more than ever a collective need to uplift the AAPI community.”

Meet Supervising Investigator Chris Raagas

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Month), which is observed throughout the month of May, we are featuring DA employees, what inspired them to pursue a career in public service and their contributions at the DA’s Office.

Meet District Attorney Supervising Investigator Chris Raagas, who began his career at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in 2013. Chris is currently the Supervising Investigator for the Superior Court Division, he is also part of the DA’s Bureau of Investigation’s training cadre and has several collateral duties as a defensive tactics instructor, range safety office and Special Services Team Coordinator. Read more about what inspired Chris to pursue career in law enforcement at the DA’s Office, below.

What inspired you to choose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office?
“I majored in Criminal Justice in college and always wanted to give back to the community and help those in need. After working in law enforcement for several years, coming over to the DA’s Office provided me the opportunity to continue working criminal investigations, but still be able to spend quality time with my family.”

What is your favorite part of the job? 
“Knowing that you had some part of making a case successful when the Deputy District Attorney is able to obtain a guilty verdict. Bringing justice to a victim and closure to a family who is grieving, is a very rewarding experience.”

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Month mean to you/why is it important to you? 
“It is important because it recognizes the challenges Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders overcame when migrating to this country. As a child of a Filipino immigrant, my father came to this country after enlisting in the Navy. His hard work and perseverance showed me that you should never limit yourself and to keep moving forward, no matter how challenging things get.”