Retired NYPD detective finds a new way to serve and protect

Irving—Cynthia Perdomo’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, passion and the willingness to make a difference. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, to a Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother, Perdomo’s love of her community and heritage runs deep. Growing up in the public school system, she attended a performing arts school where she played the violin. After graduating high school, Perdomo continued her education at Lehman College in the Bronx and later the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. During that time, Perdomo taught as a dance teacher for a non-profit organization, which is where she discovered her passion for working with children. 

“At the time, I noticed there was a shift in the economy, so I wanted to find a career that was more stable,” Perdomo said. “I looked really young, and no one took me seriously. That’s when I made the decision to go into law enforcement. I knew they’d take me seriously then.” 

Perdomo graduated from the NYPD (New York Police Department) Police Academy in May 2001. She was only on the police force for a few months when the September 11 attacks rocked the nation. The place that she called home, the city that had always felt invincible, was suddenly vulnerable. For Perdomo, the experience was extremely daunting. 

“The reality of 9/11 was a major wake-up call,” she said. “It was very startling because no one knew what was going on at the time; for the city to be attacked and feel that vulnerable was pretty scary. It was a reality check for me early in my career.” 

Shortly after graduating from the academy, Perdomo was shot at while on the job. These experiences could have easily led her to quit, but she never wavered. 

“I knew that if I had made it that far, I was there for a purpose. After that, I began soaking up everything the department had to offer, from narcotics surveillance to working undercover and crime scene investigations,” she said. 

It was only a matter of time before Perdomo found herself being pulled back into working with the youth. Local schools began requesting officers to come and teach lessons on forensics to their classes. She jumped at the chance when her daughter’s school reached out.  

After serving 21 years in the NYPD, Perdomo retired as a detective in 2022. Over the years, she would visit family members in Fort Worth, and as her daughter got older, she longed for a change of scenery. Texas felt like the right destination. When the opportunity arose to teach criminal investigations at Singley Academy, she didn’t hesitate to apply. After that, everything seemed to fall into place, and she relocated to the Lone Star State. 

Perdomo has been teaching at Singley Academy for four months. Her favorite part of teaching is the opportunity to inspire her students, just as others have inspired her. 

“I want my students to know that they can do anything,” Perdomo said. “It doesn’t matter how old they are or what it takes. Go for it. That’s something my dad always instilled in me; he always told me to go for mine. That’s the message I want to pass on to them.” 

Perdomo aims to foster a classroom culture where every student feels seen and heard. She considers law enforcement not just as a career, but as a family, a supportive, tight-knit community that provides a sense of belonging. Luckily, her students are exposed to that culture when they enter her classroom. 

“I’m truly blessed to be a part of Singley Academy and the Irving ISD community. I love what I do, and I’m happy that I get to do it here,” Perdomo said. 

SOURCE Irving ISD