The American Albanian Law Enforcement Association (AALEA) celebrated its Anniversary Gala Evening, presenting its annual awards and honoring the dedication, service, and commitment of its members and supporters. The event stood as a powerful testament to the organization’s continued growth and to the tireless efforts of its leadership in recognizing the achievements of Albanian-American professionals in law enforcement, while strengthening cooperation between institutions in Albania and Kosovo and their counterparts in the United States.
“Tonight, we celebrate not only the achievements of our organization, but also the dedication, service, and unwavering commitment of all those who have contributed to our success,” stated Elton Shametaj, Founder and Chairman of AALEA.
The evening also provided an opportunity to recognize several distinguished honorees for their exemplary service and leadership. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olta Bejleri Segura was presented with the AALEA Woman of the Year Award. Serving in her role since 2021, she has become a source of pride for the Albanian-American community, earning recognition from senior officials within the U.S. Department of Justice for her outstanding professional accomplishments and dedication to justice.
Assistant Chief Joseph M. Gulotta received the AALEA Man of the Year Award for his proactive and impactful efforts in addressing gun violence in Staten Island. The Honorable Judge Thomas Quinones, a valued friend and supporter of AALEA, was honored with the AALEA Leadership Award for his pioneering role as the first Hispanic judge to serve on the Yonkers City Court bench, marking a significant milestone in the judiciary.
Additional honorees included Captain Luigi Carrubba, Commanding Officer of the NYPD 122nd Precinct, who received the AALEA Community Service Award. A strong supporter of the Albanian community in Staten Island, Captain Carrubba has been a trusted partner and friend to the community.
Lieutenant Selim Celmeta, Secretary of AALEA, received the Distinguished Lieutenant of the Year Award. NYPD Sergeant Romina Cekani was honored as Sergeant of the Year, while Detective Dritan Lazami of Wisconsin was recognized as Detective of the Year.
Mr. Aleksandër Nilaj, President of the humanitarian organization “Duart e Hapura” (Open Hand Association), was recognized for his outstanding charitable contributions and continued service to the community.
The gala was further distinguished by the presence of Ambassador Suela Janina, Albania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. A special greeting was delivered by Rabbi Mendy Mircznik, President of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island, who praised the leadership of Elton Shametaj and commended the dedication of Albanian-American law enforcement professionals for their meaningful contributions to both their local communities and American society as a whole.
AALEA is a national nonprofit organization comprising more than 1,000 members representing federal, state, municipal, and local law enforcement agencies across the United States. Its mission is to strengthen the relationship between the Albanian-American community and law enforcement through service, professional networking, mentorship, and community engagement.
Through the leadership and active involvement of its members, AALEA has successfully built enduring partnerships with the Albanian State Police, the Kosovo Police, and numerous law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, fostering collaboration, mutual support, and the exchange of professional expertise.
