ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — In 2020, just 2% of the nation’s law enforcement officers were of Asian descent, though Asians make up 6% of the U.S. population.

In Central Florida, 28 of the more than 1,600 full-time sworn officers at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office identify as Asian American or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

Yet, for Deputy James Chan, whose parents emigrated from China, joining OCSO was the opportunity of a lifetime — and one that almost didn't happen.

“I think my parents had a huge influence on, ‘You’re going to school, you’ll get a degree,' " he said, adding, “Life’s too short to go back and regret something, ‘I wish I could’ve done that.’ ”

Chan grew up on Long Island in a distinctly middle-class neighborhood, he recalled. It wasn't Flushing or Queens, with a higher population of Asian American families, and his parents hoped to assimilate in order to find new opportunities.

"My parents were trying to learn English, too, so they predominantly tried to speak that at the house. So, we spoke very little Chinese. Only when they were yelling at me," he said with a smirk. "My mother would always tell me stories, back in the old country, and she'd bring out little books when I was a small child."

As far as law enforcement was concerned, Chan said he didn't often see others like himself in such a role. 

So, sticking to his parents' wishes, he went into consulting with a large firm, after getting a degree in accounting and finance in New York. In 2018, "bit by the Florida bug," he and his family turned trips to their time share into permanent Sunshine State living.

But Chan said he still felt dissatisfied with his career and like something was "missing," until one day he saw a gray-haired deputy in a Publix supermarket parking lot. He turned to a friend and said, "That's what I want to do."

Chan joined Orange County's Academy on a sponsorship program, crediting his supportive wife for helping him through training.

And as he saw hate crimes against Asian Americans crop up elsewhere, including his native New York, he said he felt compelled to join a new initiative this past spring championed by Sheriff John Mina: the AAPI Liaison Program. A group of officers serve as a bridge between the agency and Asian American community, attending events and tending to calls where their varied language skills and cultural sensitivities can be of help.

"As soon as that came out, they asked for volunteers. I was like, 'Hey, that's something I want to do,' because I've been on calls where there might be an Asian person involved and they don't want to report anything. They don't want to talk," he said, continuing, "I think there's a generic fear of talking to the police. The community deals with it on its own. ... suffers in silence. It's like, 'How do we make sure that doesn't happen here?' "

According to the sheriff's office, the liaisons have attended more than 20 events since the launch, as the team has grown to 12 members.

Now as he approaches his third year on the force, Chan said he wants young people in his community — even his own children — to see options.

He no longer has to wonder what his parents think of his career change. He knows.

The parents (from left) of Deputy James Chan came to Orlando to visit him and his wife (far right) and see his graduation from Orange County Academy. (Courtesy James Chan)

“My parents are extremely proud of the fact that I’m a deputy,” Chan said. “They came down for my graduation. I am making a difference. That I can help my community.”