In 1972, the National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) was founded by Vicente Calderon of the California Highway Patrol and John Parraz (deceased) of the Sacramento County Seriff's Office. The goal was to promote equality for all officers. On August 7, 1974, John Aleman of the Oakland Police Department, Mariano Flores of teh California Highway Patrol and Richard Reyes of the San Jose Police Department, joined in this mission. These officers filed the NLPOA Articles of Incorporporation with the State of California.
The NLPOA is the largest Latino Law Enforcement Organization in the United States, with local chapters in many cities throughout the country. Its membership includes Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs, Police Officers, Highway Patrol Officers, Wardens, Correctional Officers, Investigators, Baliffs, Probation Officers, Parole Agents, and Federal Officers. All of which are employed at the local, state and federal level
To create a fraternal/professional Association that provides its members with training; promotional development; and mentoring. NLPOA maintains a Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for college students. NLPOA also assists families of those officers that are critically injured or slain. NLPOA continues to develop and operate community based programs aimed at preventing and reducing juvenile deliquency. NLPOA members also work at reducing neighorhood tensions through awareness and role modeling.
Our philospy regarding youth and education has reinforced the important contributions that our cultural diversity provides this great nation.
