[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 23 (Friday, February 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE NATIONAL LATINO PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (NLPOA)

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                        HON. VAL BUTLER DEMINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 4, 2022

  Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the National 
Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA), which has for 50 years 
provided opportunities to Latino peace officers throughout the United 
States. As the former Police Chief of Orlando, Florida and now in my 
role as U.S. Representative for Florida's 10th Congressional District, 
I would like to celebrate the NLPOA for supporting the engagement, 
rights, and training of Latino law enforcement officers across the 
country.
  Founded in 1972 by Vicente Calderon of the California Highway Patrol 
and John Parraz of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the National 
Latino Peace Officers Association was formed to address the unique 
challenges that impact Latino peace officers in American law 
enforcement agencies. The organization works tirelessly to recruit, 
mentor, and train qualified Latino peace officers.
  As a result of their engagement with law enforcement offices, 
communities throughout the United States, and Latino peace officers in 
particular, the NLPOA has contributed to important reforms related to 
its founding mission. For instance, the organization obtained bilingual 
pay for officers in the California Highway Patrol, which convinced 
other California police agencies to do the same. Moreover, members of 
the organization's Santa Clara Chapter in 1977 were instrumental in 
requiring Santa Clara County to increase diversity in the hiring and 
promotional processes for the county's law enforcement officers. This 
action helped set a precedent for the promotion of diversity in police 
ranks, something now widely agreed upon as a priority.
  As a former law enforcement officer and the first woman police chief 
of Orlando, I recognize the importance of having well-trained officers 
that reflect the communities they serve across the country. The work of 
the NLPOA has been extremely important in this effort.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition and 
thanks to the National Latino Peace Officers Association for 50 years 
of service.

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