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National Council of La
Raza
NCLR, HISPANIC LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS, FORM PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS HARASSMENT AND ABUSE OF LATINOS
"Fundamental to stemming the dramatic increase in civil rights violations against Latinos is restoring trust between law enforcement and the Hispanic community. That is why we are so gratified and proud that Latinos in law enforcement are taking the lead in fostering much-needed dialogue. We pledge our full support and assistance in making this critically important process a success in all communities," stated Raul Yzaguirre, NCLR President. A recent NCLR study, The Mainstreaming of Hate: A Report on Latinos and Harassment, Hate Violence, and Law Enforcement Abuse in the '90s, found that there had been a significant increase in the incidences of law enforcement harassment and abuse against Latinos as well as in the use of racial profiling. While statistically documenting such incidents continues to be problematic, NCLR has documented a tripling of cases reported to its offices over the past several years. Clearly one reason this is occurring is that Latinos are underrepresented in law enforcement, especially at the highest levels. For example, in Houston, a city that is 26% Hispanic, Latinos hold fewer than 8% of supervisory positions within the police department. In Los Angeles, a city that is more than one-third Hispanic, Latinos constitute only 22% of officers and 14% of supervisors. In the Metro-Dade Police Department, in a county that is nearly one-half Hispanic, fewer than 14% of top supervisors are Latino. "Many police departments have made strong progress in diversifying their workforces, however, Latinos remain severely underrepresented in most major police departments across the country, and not just within the top ranks, but amongst the rank and file as well," stated Adrian Garcia, National President for NLPOA. "Equally important," he went on to note, "is the increasing number of lawsuits filed by Latino law enforcement officers against local police departments and federal agencies for employment discrimination, 'hostile work environments,' or for being 'disciplined more harshly than their White, non-Latino colleagues.'" The agreement calls for the organizations to work cooperatively on improving the representation of Latinos in law enforcement agencies, to serve as a national coalition on resolving the problem of harassment and abuse against Latinos, as well as to put an end to racial profiling practices. [See attachment] "We have every expectation that this partnership will yield great fruit for the Latino community and the organizations involved," said HAPCOA National President, Edwin Rios. "Congress and this Administration cannot continue to ignore these important issues for the Latino community. The safety and livelihood of all Americans is jeopardized when rights are reserved for a privileged few. As a coalition, we will work hard to assure that all Americans are free from violence and discrimination. This partnership is a step in that direction." # # # MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING This Partnership is entered into this 14th day of December 1999 between The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA), and the National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA). WHEREAS, we recognize the need to work proactively in addressing and establishing accountability measures with what appears to be a growing problem in law enforcement - harassment, abuse, and deadly use of force against Latinos. WHEREAS, we recognize the strong connection between racial profiling and widespread abuse and civil rights violations, and the increasing negative effect such profiling has on all Americans. WHEREAS, we recognize the growing need to improve the representation of Latinos at all levels of our nation's law enforcement bodies and to address the parallel problem of employment discrimination against Latino law enforcement officers. RESOLVED, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA), and the National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) will join in a national partnership to address the issues of law enforcement abuse, racial profiling, and the low representation of Latinos at all levels of our nation's law enforcement structure. FURTHER RESOLVED, we agree to serve as an early warning system and establish on-going communication with one another to keep abreast of issues and problems affecting the Latino community and Latino law enforcement community alike. FURTHER RESOLVED, we agree to work together with other civil rights and community organizations, and federal, state, and local officials to establish or strengthen police/community relations, build or enhance trust, and improve community safety. FURTHER RESOLVED, we agree to work in collaboration with one another and act as a national resource on the aforementioned subjects for other civil rights and community organizations and federal, state, and local officials. Raul Yzaguirre, President, National Council of La Raza Edwin Rios, National President, Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association Adrian Garcia, National President, National Latino
Peace Officers Association National Council of La Raza website.
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