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NLPOA MISSION

The mission of the association is to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in the Criminal Justice System (particularly in law enforcement). To create a fraternal/professional association that provides support, advocacy, personal and professional development to its members. To prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency; and lessen neighborhood tension in the Latino communities, through awareness and role modeling, provide bi-lingual assistance to the public, and bridge the gap between the Latino community and the police.

Goals

The Goals of the NLPOA are to focus its resources to:

(1) Provide professional career development and EEO advocacy for its members.

(2) Network with the Latino community to reduce conflicts between law enforcement and residents.

(3) Provide scholarships and other support to students pursuing careers in law enforcement or related fields.

(4) Assist in community-based programs focused on crime reduction and provide resources coupled with community efforts to advance the betterment of the general public.

Objectives

Within the framework of the By-Laws, the Corporation (Association) shall work towards its Mission through the Objectives set forth.

• Discrimination – to work with Criminal Justice agencies to correct any prejudice and discrimination when present.

• Recruitment– to ensure that recruitment programs effectively reach Latino candidates.
• Upward Mobility – to ensure that Latino Criminal Justice Professionals are provided equal access to departmental upward mobility training.
• Professional Development– to ensure that Latino Criminal Justice Professionals are offered career and professional training; and to provide professional training to member and non-members.

• Membership Advocacy– to provide employment related assistance, support and intervention to its members.

• Exit Interviews– to ensure that exit interviews are part of all departmental separations by Latino Criminal Justice Professionals.
• Scholarships– to provide financial support to high school and college Latino students pursuing careers in Criminal Justice related professions.
• Community Relations– to serve as a liaison between Criminal Justice professionals and the Latino community; to facilitate problem prevention and intervention.

• Juvenile Delinquency Prevention– to combat community deterioration and prevent juvenile delinquency by providing workshops for youths, adults and parents on “How to Say No to Gangs, Drugs and Alcohol, and Cults.”

• Public Safety– to provide gun safety training to adolescents and “Say No, Tell an Adult” to elementary school children.

• Grant writing and grant administration – to provide grants for grass root community organizations involved in Juvenile Delinquency and Crime Prevention. Also, to support “Criminal Justice Mentoring” types of youth programs

• Latino Community Service Awards – to recognize those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Latino community.

HISTORY OF THE NLPOA

The National Latino Peace Officers Association is the largest Latino law enforcement association in the United States.  It is open to all, regardless of race or ethnic background. The objectives of the National Latino Peace Officers Association are to create a professional association that provides its members career training and  promote education and career advancement, mentoring and a strong commitment to community service.

Founders

In the early 1970′s two Latino peace officers had a vision of a Latino law enforcement association, working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and the community to recruit, select and retain Latinos into the criminal justice system. John Parraz, from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and Vincente Calderon, from the California Highway Patrol, using their personal time and money, organized and eventually founded what is now known as the National Latino Peace Officers Association. Today, N.L.P.O.A. has chapters from coast to coast.

After an organizing period, the National Latino Peace Officer’s Association was chartered and incorporated on a nonprofit basis in 1974 in San Jose, California. Since then, the Association has grown to become a national association and one of the largest Latino law enforcement associations in the United States. The NLPOA has chapters in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, and 21 chapters in California.

REGULAR MEMBERSHIP is available to all peace officers actively employed in or retired from any professional position in the criminal justice system and who supports the objectives of N.L.P.O.A.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is available to all, non-sworn persons who identify with, and support the objectives of N.L.P.O.A.