JOIN NLPOA
NLPOA – Who we are and what we do?
National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) is a national association with local chapters throughout the United States. The Santa Clara County Founding Chapter is a non-profit organization (501c3) that serves the Santa Clara County area.
NOTE: NLPOA is a non-profit organization and is governed by the tax laws set forth by the state and federal governments. NLPOA possesses a tax identification number and is available upon request.
If you wish to join the NLPOA Santa Clara County Founding Chapter, our membership is for the calendar year, January to December. We have three types of membership:
Regular Membership: ($50) Available to all Peace Officers actively employed or retired from any professional position within the criminal justice system and who supports the objectives of the National Latino Peace Officers Association.
Associate Membership: ($45) Available to all non-sworn persons who identify with and support the objectives of the National Latino Peace Officers Association.
Associate College Student: ($10) Available to all non-sworn college students who identify with and support the objectives of the National Latino Peace Officers Association.
NLPOA Benefits
- Networking with Law Enforcement Professionals and other Professionals
- Bridging the gap and contributing to the community
- Career Development
- Leadership Development
- Employment Advocacy
- Annual National Training Institute
- Regional National Training
- Tax Deductible
Organizing Philosophy
Beyond these objectives, we must continue our efforts to help those in need, particularly promoting higher education for our youth. Our philosophy regarding youth and education will enhance opportunities for our youth and reinforce the important contributions our cultural diversity provides to this great nation.
Why Join NLPOA?
What can the NLPOA do for you?
The National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) has successfully remained a strong and goal orientated non-profit organization for many years. The successes that the Association has been able to obtain and accomplish by staying true to the Association’s Mission and Goals have been outstanding. However, these accomplishments have only been obtained through the hard work of its membership who gives of their time and expertise.
The NLPOA, through its many chapters has created programs for the community, youth, students and law enforcement. These programs provide mentorship, scholarships, direction and commitment that in turn encourages community involvement in areas that affect their daily lives, students to strive for a better and higher education.
There are individuals who voice the opinion that NLPOA should do something for them if they are members or thinking of joining. “What does the NLPOA do for me” that is a phrase that I frequently hear.
In truth though, it is like a lot of things that affect our lives; your career, your education, your family, how successful you are, or will be, depends on what you bring to the table; in other words, what are you willing to commit and contribute so that both you and the Association will succeed.
As a member of NLPOA, the level of participation you dedicate to the Association will determine how successful you will be. The NLPOA provides you the stage in order for you to perform; additionally it provides you the development, as you go through the process of active participation, and involve yourself at chapter, state or federal levels. Through active involvement you enhance your knowledge of administrative skills, learn to conduct orderly meetings through the use of Robert Rules of Order and other organizational and leadership skills.
The more you participate in the Association, the greater extensive and refine is the experience gained. In many situations, NLPOA representatives are tasked to interact with the media. This necessitates developing skills to assist you in representing the NLPOA in the best light possible. However, this exposure also helps to present you as a professional and knowledgeable representative of the Association. In time, media experience continues to grow and this exposure begins to provide you the experience necessary to deliver presentations in a short and concise manner, and to gain the most of those few interview seconds, which the media allows during a live airing.
Successful budget planning is one of the most important facets of any business, home or organization. The ability to determine the most efficient and effective way of utilizing available or expected funding determines your success, or failure in carrying out your responsibilities as an officer of the association. Knowledge of these qualities is the receipt to succeed. In the same way, accurate and timely financial reporting and accountability are very essential of any activity in which NLPOA monies are utilized.
Networking and interacting with the community that you protect and serve; the NLPOA positively exposes you to individuals in community, business and education that expect the best out of its public safety employees. Your active membership in the NLPOA provides you, through its many community and scholarship programs, to become better acquainted with the community and the many facets of their daily lives. This positive interface with such persons enhances your department’s image and certainly makes it easier to communicate in these arenas.
As a result of your participation in the NLPOA, you will also be provided the opportunity of experiencing meeting and interacting with city mayors, legislatures and other policy and decision makers as part of your responsibilities within the Association. This will enhance your knowledge of how the national, state and local governments work and will provide you a broader view of laws and policies and how to impact them in a positive manner.
A better question that should be asked by NLPOA members and potential members is “What can I contribute to make the Association that much better”.
Vicente Calderon, NLPOA Founder