HAPCOA - Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association

HAPCOA News Archives

2012 | 2011

2012 News

HAPCOA letter in support of the United States Secret Service

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HAPCOA Aguila Recipient Appointed to US National Security Advisor to the Newly Elected President of Honduras.

On February 7, 2012, the U.S. Government announced, that under the direction of U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Lisa Kubiske, U.S. Ambassador Oliver P. Garza will assist the Honduran government with development and implementation of HondurasÕs national security strategy to stem high levels of violence and impunity.

Ambassador Garza will serve as a senior-level technical expert for Honduran President Porfirio Lobo on citizen security, rule of law, and counter-narcotics issues. In coordination with the Embassy, he will also work with the Honduran government to identify opportunities to leverage security and development assistance from the U.S. government, the international donor community, and multilateral institutions to strengthen citizen safety in Honduras.

Congratulations to Ambassador Garza on behalf of his HAPCOA family.

This article was modified from a 2012 Press Release, for the full article please go to http://honduras.usembassy.gov/pr-020712-eng.html.

The HAPCOA National Board is excited to announce the recipients of its 2012 Educational Scholarships. Special Agent Zinna James and Shannon Banks will both receive $2500 in support of their educational goals.

Special Agent Zinnia P. James is a Criminal Investigator with the Investigative Policy and Oversight Violent Crimes Division of the Department of Defense Inspector GeneralÕs Office (DoD IG). Special Agent James is responsible for evaluating criminal investigative policy, training, and investigative processes as a component of the DoDÕs multidisciplinary response to violent crimes. She is also the DoD IGÕs subject matter expert on violent crimes involving children. Special Agent James has been a member of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association since 2006 and the Executive Secretary on the National Executive Board since 2007. SA James is currently a PhD candidate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University.

Shannon T. Banks received her undergraduate degree with a 3.81 GPA in Government with an education concentration from George Mason University. She is currently attending Marymount University pursuing her Masters Degree in Special Education/Elementary Education/Secondary Education with a 4.0 GPA. Upon graduation, she desires to as an elementary special education teacher in an underprivileged and highly diverse school where she completed her student teaching.

HAPCOA encourages all members and their immediate family members to apply for future educational scholarships.

HAPCOA’s Scholarship Application and program criteria for HAPCOA members in good standing and/or their immediate family members. Scholarship applications must be submitted/received by
December 01, 2011 for the Spring 2012 semester.

Members must have their current year dues paid.

Download the 2012 Scholarship Application Here.
Criteria for Hapcoa Scholarships

2011 News

Homeland Security appoints Louis F. Quijas as the new Asst. Secretary for State and Local law Enforcement
July 18th, 2011

The United States Department of Homeland Security is pleased to announce the appointment of Louis F. Quijas as the new Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement. In this position, Mr. Quijas will serve as the principal Department-wide liaison with state, local, and tribal law enforcement, ensuring that both relevant information and policy development are coordinated with our non-Federal law enforcement partners.

Secretary Napolitano said of this appointment: "Homeland security begins with hometown security, and DHS must work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to better protect our nation's communities from terrorism and other threats. Today, I am pleased to welcome Louis Quijas as our new Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement. His 36 years of experience in both federal and local law enforcement will play a vital role in helping the Department's continued efforts to get necessary tools and information out of Washington and into the hands of our law enforcement officers on the front lines."

Mr. Quijas knows the unique challenges that state, local, and tribal law enforcement face. He served on the front lines with the Kansas City (Missouri) Police Department for 25 years. He ran the High Point Police Department (North Carolina) for 5 years as Chief of Police. And FBI Director Robert Mueller asked him to establish the FBI's Office of Law Enforcement Coordination. At each post, Mr. Quijas understood that the nation is most secure when federal and local law enforcement works together.

Mr. Quijas also values the role that national organizations play in coordinating federal and local law enforcement. He is a former Executive Committee Member of the International Association of the Chiefs of Police, President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, and National Board Member of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association.

The Department of Homeland Security's partnership with state, local, and tribal law enforcement is critical to securing the nation, and we are excited to have someone of Mr. Quijas's experience as the point person for this partnership.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) application funding period. The BVP, created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 is a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to provide a critical resource to state and local law enforcement.

Since 1999, over 13,000 jurisdictions have participated in the BVP Program, with $277 million in federal funds committed to support the purchase of an estimated 800,000 vests. The Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the BVP Program.

Applications for FY 2011 BVP funds are currently being accepted. All applications must be submitted online by 6:00 pm (Eastern Time), Thursday, July, 7 2011.

Further information, eligibility criteria, and the online application can be found on the BVP website at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bvpbasi/

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Kevin A. Jenkins at Kevin.Jenkins@usdoj.gov or at (202) 514-0907.

On May 06, 2011, National President Tony Cox attended a public safety "roundtable" sponsored by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). More than 40 senior level law enforcement leaders from the federal, state and local jurisdictions from across the Nation converged to share ideas, network and participate in a myriad of breakout sessions. For instance, Tony Cox participated in the session revolving around training and training opportunities which resulted in the identification of possible training sessions for the 2011 National Training Conference. The roundtable reinforced ICE's need and commitment to share more consistent, timely, and concise information with their law enforcement partners. Read more at: http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1105/110510washingtondc.htm

On May 12, 2011, National President Tony Cox attended "The 15th Annual ATF Memorial Observance" held in Washington, DC to honor the 186 members of the ATF family who have been killed in the line of duty.

On 13May11, 8:00 pm, at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington, DC the 2011 Candlelight Vigil will be conducted. This event pays tribute to the fallen heroes from years past and to ensure the sacrifice made by these heroic men and women and their surviving families are never forgotten and always honored. President Tony Cox will be representing HAPCOA at this somber event. If you're not available to personally attend the Candlelight Vigil please consider joining us via the live webcast: http://support.nleomf.org/site/R?i=2SQxs0FtKWqyJjkx3SMm2A

Fallen Comrade

It's with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we recognize the passing of a law enforcement brother. On February 15, 2011 while on assignment in Mexico, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agents Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila were senselessly gunned down by drug cartel members. Fortunately, Special Agent Avila received only non-life threatening injuries; while sadly, Special Agent Zapata succumbed to his wounds.

Special Agent Zapata is the first federal officer and the 13th law enforcement officer to be killed by gunfire during 2011. To date, 26 law enforcement officers have lost their lives protecting the populace and the interests of our great country and we owe all of them a grand debt of gratitude.

We at HAPCOA would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Zapata family and to all of the hero's that have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the Unites States. May God bless them all.

Tony Cox

President, HAPCOA

HAPCOA partners with IACP for preventing gun violence.Read More...

VERIZON AND THE NATIONAL NETWORK TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAUNCH TEXT-TO-DONATE CAMPAIGN TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Campaign Part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month Initiatives; HopeLine From Verizon Will Match Donations Up to $50,000. Read More...

HAPCOA partners with DOJ on five amicus briefs. Read more below:

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA v. DICK ANTHONY HELLER
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. RANDY EDWARD HAYES
DICK ANTHONY HELLER, ET AL. v. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ET AL.
MONTANA SHOOTING SPORTS ASSOCIATION, NIC., et al. v. ERIC H. HOLDER JR.,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. STEVEN M. SKOIEN

On December 20, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Civil Service Recognition Act of 2011. The act ensures that an American flag is provided to the next of kin of every federal civil servant who is killed in the line of duty. The legislation passed both Houses of Congress without a dissenting vote. Terry Newell and Robert Gest III, adjunct instructors at the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA and promoters of the legislation to honor civil servants who die while performing their duties stated, "Your timely letters, the support of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, your leadership, and your personal commitment to do the right thing for civil servants who make the ultimate sacrifice for their country were a joy for us to witness. We have always believed that this nation's federal workers represent the very best in America in their traditions of serving with honor and excellence. Thank you so much for helping us recognize them f or their devotion to the nation." HAPCOA continues its mission to make significant contributions to law enforcement personnel and their families.

On December 12, 2011 HAPCOA National Executive Board members, Executive Director Tony Chapa, Past National President Tony Cox, 4th Vice President Mari Nash, and Executive Secretary Zinnia James joined law enforcement partners from the National Latino Peace Officers Association, and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to launch the Department of Homeland Security Spanish-language Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in support of the "If You See Something, Say SomethingT" campaign. Also present was long-time HAPCOA supporter and past conference keynote speaker Mr. Louis F. Quijas, DHS Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement. Secretary Janet Napolitano hosted the event which convened Hispanic law enforcement officers to discuss ideas and recommendations on how to better target Hispanic communities with the Spanish-language PSAs. The event was a success and several ideas proposed by the HAPCOA National leadership will be implemented.

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