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 the various law enforcement agencies represented by our membership. LAPA promotes and encourages a higher degree of professionalism and advancement among Hispanic law enforcement officers. Through education and networking, LAPA has evolved into an issue oriented organization.

In 1982., LAPA founded the Hispanic Institute of Law Enforcement as the Education arm of LAPA.

Historical Timeline

LAPA was founded by several officers from the Chicago Police Department.

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.

LAPA founded the Hispanic Institute of Law Enforcement as the Educational arm of LAPA.

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.

LAPA once again had the distinction of being a founding charter member of the Coalition of Hispanic American Police Associations (CHAPA), a national organization.

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 Banquet, Family Picnic, Golf Outing, and Children’s Christmas Party which are always well attended. LAPA has also assisted various immigrant groups by fingerprinting individuals applying for U.S. Citizenship.