We are a newly formed non-profit group with the intent of bridging the gap between Law Enforcement, or one could even say heal the wounds that have been created with recent events. I know our title says Latino, but that does not limit to who we are. Our chapter is very diverse in race, ethnicity and gender and our numbers maybe 10 current members but our numbers will grow greatly in a very short a
mount of time. Our goal is to begin within our schools. We have already started to mentor two children at Meachum Middle School in the Diamond Hill area. These young people have great dreams and goals and all they need is someone to help them realize their dreams are possible. We plan on continuing to have lunch with students from this school and develop a program for the weekend where at least once a month a student and mentor get to meet and do an activity outside of the school. The vice president of our local chapter has started a Law Enforcement introduction course to middle school children at a local school. These kids learn the fundamentals of being a Police Officer or Correction Officer. They will learn local and state laws, practice arrest procedures, proper correctional settings searches and use of force. I do know he has had great success with this program and it continues to grow. As our chapter continues to grow we will begin to look at creating a scholarship program for our local youth. A committee will be formed and scholarship applications will be given out and reviewed by this committee. We will begin with a $250.00 scholarship which will be awarded to students in the Tarrant County area. Our purpose is to serve those who entrust us to serve them with a uniform on. To remind everyone we are their neighbors and we put our pants on the same way they do. As a member you will have a voice within in the Law Enforcement agency you work for. At anytime you feel you are being treated unjustly we will be your voice with your administration. We can address issues with promotion within your agency if there is no diversity by race and or gender. We will begin to provide promotional oral review boards and study boards to help our members become supervisors and make changes for the betterment of the department and the employees. We offer free training at the National Office in Dallas. Most of the training offered is TCOLE credited. We will soon begin to offer free training in Tarrant County, so keep an eye out on your calendars. If there is a class your department will not pay, as a member we will offer tuition scholarships to help assist in the payment of the course. We truly want to be one with the community we serve and protect. We want all to know that we are their neighbor and we will encourage all around us to provide "Leadership through Mentorship"!
