HAPCOA partners with Angels Against Domestic Violence.

DOJ Pattern & Practice Investigation: How it unfolded

DOJ Pattern & Practice Investigation:

How it unfolded

Over the years, HNLEA & UBPOA have met with prior administrations in order to discuss concerns of racial inequities in transfers, assignments, promotions, and discipline.  Although we did not always agree on solutions, there was always a mutual resolution and the issues faced were always kept within the police department.  While we have always had some racial tensions within law enforcement, those racial tensions have been polarized by events such as Ferguson Missouri, Baltimore Maryland, and Charlottesville Virginia.  As a result, many in power within law enforcement see minority Law Enforcement officers quite differently.  This is what I refer to as having Shades of Blue within Law Enforcement.  There is no problem transferring, investigating, retaliating against, and firing the Darker Shades of Blue.  And like in the 1960’s, going after those non-minorities who affiliate with the Darker Shades of Blue.

We originally filed a complaint with the DOJ around March 2016.  After receiving additional complaints from the rank and file and being personally targeted, we filed an amended DOJ complaint in October 2016.  Since January 4, 2017 we've met with the PGPD administration in order to discuss some of the concerns.  Through the help of the NAACP, we requested the help from DOJ, Community Relations Service in order to try and mediate the numerous concerns that were brought to our attention and the administration.  The administration refused to mediate even after I personally urged the Public Safety director to contact DOJ and take steps to mediate. Then the administration took active steps to cover and conceal the wrongdoing.

Over the course of the year, the administration has chosen to send a very strong message to those involved in the issues raised. By retaliatory transfers, denial of due process during investigations, terminations, denial of promotions, vilifying accusers, as well as a variety of micro-aggressions against anyone exposing wrongdoing and racist behaviors. This administration sent a message that was loud and clear.  As each incident unfolded, we passed this information to the DOJ, Civil Rights Division and the number of complainant rose.      

Over this same period of time, we advised the Chief of Police of the impact of his decisions on Officers, the agency, the county government, and the citizens of Prince George’s County.   His answer was always the same - I don’t make decisions based on how they are going to look.

It is worthy to note that over the past two years EEOCs filed have risen approximately six hundred percent (600%).  Were you aware that under this administration we have fired more people of color than several of the past administrations combined?  The last Caucasian officer fired by the county police was in May 2015 for involvement in a homicide in Charles County.  Most fired in the last two years have been Black males and Black females.

In conclusion, having the Department of Justice conduct a Pattern & Practice Investigation can reset the current trends.  We need to remove the fox from guarding the hen house and develop a level playing field for all officers regardless of color. We need to ensure that when there is doubt, officers are confident to bring forth inquiries without fear of retaliation.

Joe Perez, President

Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association

 

Membership Meeting Ref DOJ Pattern & Practice Investigation

The Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association-National Capital Region chapter (HNLEA-NCR), the United Black Police Officers Association (UBPOA) and the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association-National Capitol Region (HAPCOA-NCR) chapter are having a membership meeting on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at the NAACP, Prince George’s County Chapter office located at 9201 Basil Court Largo MD at 6pm.  Light snacks and beverages will be provided.  Please let me know if you are able to attend.  Please let me know if you would like to add a topic of discussion to the agenda by Friday, October 20, 2017.  The agenda will be emailed by Monday, October 23, 2017.

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Best Practices in Community Policing Presentation

 

On March 23, 2017, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA) jointly with the Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association (HNLEA) and the United Black Police Officers Association (UBPOA) presented a Best Practices in Community Policing Program to several Mexican officials, as facilitators of the Police Professionalization Exchange Program for Mexico (PPEP).

PPEP is a program of the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), via the US Embassy in Mexico, designed to provide training and professional development to 3,800 police officials from Mexico over the next three years. The program’s curriculum offers participants direct exposure and access to US police professionals and experts. Its participants receive training and professional development through online lectures, training academies, professional study tours in the US, and a Mexico-based training institute administered by US law enforcement experts and professionals.

Professional study tours allow for focused dialogue and the sharing of knowledge between Mexican and US law enforcement practitioners about the evolution of modern policing and police systems. As well, Mexican and US participants have the unique opportunity to interact while analyzing their roles as law enforcement professionals within their respective communities, and to reflect on how to incorporate best practices and lessons learned.

The first professional study tour took place March 19 through March 25, bringing twenty executive level Mexican law enforcement officials to the United States. Concurrent programs in Jacksonville, FL and Little Rock, AR explored best practices for community policing, and then met in Washington, DC for a three-day Law Enforcement Summit to focus on Federal government efforts and partnerships to promote community involvement in law enforcement. HAPCOA, HNLEA and UBPOA look forward to continued work with the US State Department and our brothers in law enforcement across the globe in order to foster bridges of understandings.

UBPOA/HNLEA-NCR/HAPCOA-NCR JOINT CHAPTER MEETING

 

UBPOA/HNLEA-NCR/HAPCOA-NCR

JOINT CHAPTER MEETING

N.A.A.C.P. Office

 Prince George’s County Chapter

9201 Basil Court Largo MD

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

     I.         CALL TO ORDER (Joe Perez, Chapter President)

     II.         ROLL CALL (Thomas Boone, President

United Black Police Officers Association)

     III.         BUSINESS / COMMITEE REPORTS

a. 2017 Symposium (Anthony Chapa, Executive Director HAPCOA)

b. DOJ Complaint (Boone/Perez)

·      President Bob Ross, NAACP

·      Updates - Ninety-Nine (99)

·      NAACP, ACLU, DOJ and Attorney General’s Office

·      DOJ Consent forms

·      Social Media

·      Questions

       IV.        New Business

·      Awards Banquet 2017

Next MEETING

Date, Time, & Location to be determine