Celebrating Over Fifty Years of Service in the Chicagoland Area
The Latin American Police Association was first organized in the fall of 1961 with a total membership of 21 members. LAPA has the distinction of being the first ethnic law enforcement group within the city of Chicago and Cook County, Illinois.
LAPA is a fraternal organization, which was created to assist Hispanics in the field of law enforcement. The membership of LAPA is comprised of any person of Hispanic descent, in whole or in part, who is a sworn member in good standing of any law enforcement agency in the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area.
The purpose of the Latin American Police Association is to develop, promote and encourage a greater degree of understanding and cooperation between the Hispanic community, and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies such as the Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police and FBI among others. LAPA accomplishes this by means consistent with the laws of the United States of America, the State of Illinois, City of Chicago and in compliance of established policies of the various agencies represented by our membership. LAPA promotes and encourages a higher degree of professionalism, education and advancement among Hispanic law enforcement officers. Through education and networking, LAPA has evolved into an issue-oriented organization that seeks to enhance the quality of life for both Hispanic law enforcement officers and for the Hispanic communities we serve.
The objective of the Latin American Police Association is to assist in the social, civic, cultural and professional development of the Hispanic community, by means consistent with the established policies of the various law enforcement agencies represented by our membership.
1961
LAPA was founded by several officers from the Chicago Police Department.
1970's
LAPA successfully sought litigation against the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), and as a result the Cook County Sheriffs Office
was required to hire a larger percentage of qualified Hispanic candidates for available Deputy Sheriff positions.
1982
LAPA founded the Hispanic Institute of Law Enforcement as the Educational arm of LAPA.
1988
LAPA had the distinction of being one of the founding charter members of the Hispanic
National Law Enforcement Association (HNLEA),
which is headquartered in Cheltenham, Maryland.
1994
LAPA once again had the distinction of being a founding charter member of the Coalition of Hispanic American Police
Associations (CHAPA), a national organization. CHAPA is a
not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing a national perspective and definitive voice on issues facing Hispanics
in Law Enforcement, and enhancing the role of Hispanic law enforcement officers in dealing with problems in Hispanic communities.
2011
LAPA celebrated their 50th anniversary.
PRESENTLY
In conjunction with legal and political action plans, LAPA endeavors to increase its representation in
the law enforcement community by conducting tutorial classes for both Chicago Police Department and Cook
County Sheriff candidates. In addition LAPA also sponsors workshops for Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies
seeking promotional advancement within their respective agencies. When announced, LAPA's workshops are open
to all interested Officers/Deputies, regardless of his/her ethnic background.
Annually, LAPA sponsors an Annual Awards Recognition Banquet, Golf Outing, Comedy Show, Summer Cruise, and Family Christmas Party which are always well attended.