Latino Officers Association Florida
Post Office Box 172138
Hialeah, FL 33017-2138
ph: 786.378.7813
alt: 786.378.7813

About us

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

On September 11, 2001, as a group of Officers from Miami Dade County gathered together to witness the horrible unfolding events in New York City, they were committed to organizing their vision more than ever.  Prior to that eventful day, the group had been involved in others Latino groups with not much result. Being disenfranchised they bonded together. All the Officers from Miami Dade had been members of the Hispanic Association Correctional Officers (HACO) from 1993 – 1999.  HACO, which is non-exiting today, played an important role in the development of character of the founding members. HACO, being a powerful organization in its time only had a local effect.  Knowing that much more could be done to organize and network Latinos law enforcement professionals under one umbrella, the then leadership of HACO searched for a solution. In October 1999,the board of HACO under the guidance of then President Alexander Martinez voted to become members of a large National Latino Officers group. Once again these Officers were still looking for a spirit of sovereignty. Thus, in 2001 they turned towards the National Latino Officers Association and Chairman Anthony Miranda. In August 2002 the charter was created by the following Officers: Jake Mestrinelli, Peter Ferrer, Edward Salintero, Mike Urbistondo, Angelo Figueras, Joe Schmidt, Nelson Delgado, Leo Alvarez and the continued support of Chairman Anthony Miranda.  The vision of these Officers from Miami Dade became a reality. The LOA-FLA was officially established on September 12, 2002 the day after 9-11. Thanks to the willingness and service of these Officers, the charter was off and running.
From the humble beginnings of the first LOA-FLA Board of Directors meeting in the food court of Westland Mall in Hialeah the LOA-FLA began to grow. In February 2004 the LOA-FLA arrived in the Greater Orlando area with the creation of a Central chapter of the LOA-FLA. Instrumental in this development were retired NYPD Sergeant Arnie Amoros, retired Sergeant Jaime Gonzalez Orange County Sheriff Office and retired Detective Eddie Martinez NYPD.  Shortly, after the development of the LOA-FLA Central chapter the word moved fast. 
In late 2005 the Palm Beach chapter was created under the guidance of Deputy Jose Rendon PBSO. Then the LOA-FLA hit the Gulf Coast with the spirit of Deputy Angel Queipo, Lee County.  The birth of the Lee, Collier and Hendry County chapters began under the direction of men like Deputy Raul Fernandez LCSO, retired Detective Manny Ynestroza Naples PD, and Deputy Orlando Torres Hendry County.  The LOA-FLA seeing a need to better support the membership created three regions in the LOA-FLA and placing them under the direct supervision of a regional director. The region being South (Martin to Monroe Counties), Gulf (from Collier to Hernando Counties) and Central (all remaining Counties) making it the largest region. 
In 2006 with the assistance of Angel Queipo and the leadership of BSO Sgt Al Rodriguez the Broward chapter was started.  Also in that year Hillsbrough County Deputy Jorge Silva became the district representative to Tampa Bay giving us full coverage in the State. In 2007 the Lake County District became a chapter under the leadership of  Of. Norberto Gonzalez Mount Dora Police and Cpl Jose Irizarry Mount Dora Police Dept.  In 2008, the LOA-FLA Board of Directors appointed,  Jose Irizarry as the LOA-FLA Vice President.  Also in 2007, the Board established the retired council under the guidance of former Ofc. Joe Sanchez NYPD giving us complete coverage. 
In February 2008 the LOA-FLA Board, wanted to make history by appointing the first female as a chapter director to the largest and founding chapter Miami Dade. The Board voted in Cpl. Tosca Cotton Miami Dade as director making her the first female African American Board member. Showing our continued commitment to diversity we continued to grow.
In July 2008, the Board changed its logo
and slogan to complete our sovereignty. With our new Logo and slogan “ In God We Trust” we moved towards Gods will.   
Also in July 2008
The Board of Directors awarded a chapter to Ofc. Wagner Leite Port St. Lucie PD. Wanger, of Portuguese descent embraced our objective.
Feb 20, 2010, the LOA-FLA BOD, votes to remove all chapters of the LOA-FLA creating only one LOA-FLA.  Also created by the BOD was the position of Historian. As the LOA-FLA continues to grow we trust in the Lord that he is blessing us in our moves. Their are many that have supported to goals and objectives of the LOA-FLA and we thank them. People like Frank Nieves of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Broward County, Terri Ojitos CPA, Edgar Nieves of United Correctional Officers Federation and Mike Calderin Broward Help. 
 
We give praise and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.
In God We Trust.     

 

The LOA-FLA is registered in Florida as (not for profit) 501c4. The LOA-FLA was filed on August 19, 2002 in Florida under document number N02000006250 (search document). The LOA-FLA is a completely sovereign organization pursuant to Florida law.

The LOA-FLA Statement of Faith:

The LOAFLA believes and accepts God is independent and ever-living (Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:25; 1 Thess. 1:9).  He is distinguished from all His attributes, Trinitarian nature, and acts. The attributes of God can be classified into two categories which are the incommunicable attributes (God does not share with mankind) and the communicable attributes (God does share with mankind). 

There is only one true God (Deut. 6:4), but within the unity of God, there exists three co-eternal and co-equal Persons, the same in essence but distinct in existence (Matt. 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21).  The Trinity means the three Persons of the Trinity, eternally equal in essence, have eternally existed as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (John 1:1; Matt. 3:16–17; Acts 2:33; Rom. 8:11; 1:4; John 16:13–15). 

The deity of Christ is supported in the Old Testament by passages that speak of His preexistence (Micah 5:2; Isa. 9:6).  In the New Testament Jesus is called God in a number of passages (John 1:1, 18; 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20).  The New Testament further supports the deity of Christ in passages that speak of His preexistence (John 1:1-3; 14-18).

The incarnation of Christ is the act whereby Christ became a man.  Christ took on flesh, thus adding to Himself a human nature through the virgin birth.  The result of this is Christ remains forever fully God and fully man united in one man (John 1:14; 1 John 4:2; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14).

Christ’s death is significant for the world since it is a demonstration of God’s love for mankind (John 3:16).  The death of Christ provides the way of salvation and enables mankind to have a relationship with God ( Rom. 5:9).  Also, Christ’s death is central to the gospel message which will be preached in all the earth (Acts 1:8). 

The resurrection of Christ is essential to the Christian faith, because it is one of the central doctrines of the gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-8).  The present ministry of Christ is significant and important for the Church.  The ascended Christ occupies the office of High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16) and Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2:5).  Also, Christ is head of His church (Eph. 4:11).     

Importance of the Bible is it is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit superintended over the human authors of the Bible in such a way that while writing according to their own styles and personalities, what they wrote was the authoritative Word of God.  The process of inspiration was the Holy Spirit guiding as the human author wrote (2 Peter 1:20-21), with the product being the God-breathed, written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). 

Biblical authority means that Scripture, as the embodiment of God’s self disclosure, is the standard for all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Acts 17:11; James 1:22-25).  Therefore, Christians should understand the Bible is to rule both faith and practice. Acrostic of BIBLE- Basic Instruction. Before Leaving Earth, being our owner’s manual.

The LOAFLA slogan "In God We Trust" is important to us the membership because it places God in a position of preeminence because this world is just a precursor to eternity.

Our Business

Our mission and vision is and always shall be to promote the Hispanic community, increase the representation of Latinos at the Federal, State, County and Local of the criminal justice system. We also work hard towards enhancing the image and professionalism  of law enforcement in general, and Hispanics in particular.

Our Involvement to serve as positive role models for the youth and expose them to the many career opportunities in the Criminal Justice System.  Provide scholarships to worthy students pursuing a career in the Criminal Justice System.

Serve as liaison between the Hispanic community and local law enforcement. Promote fund raising in order to finance our scholarships, youth, senior and community-related programs
and activates.  Network with other community organizations, civic leaders, business leaders and individuals who share our vision, programs and objectives. Lastly promote unity, professionalism and brotherhood among Hispanics in law enforcement.

Latino officers Association florida       

Post Office Box 172138
Hialeah, Florida 33017


Article 7:
No executive or regional board member may accept a position within their respective agency without the approval of their respective boards. If a board member accepts any position without consent he or she may be removed from the board by majority vote

"In God We Trust"  

 

 

All rights reserved @ copyright 2002 -2010

 

 

 

 

Latino Officers Association Florida
Post Office Box 172138
Hialeah, FL 33017-2138
ph: 786.378.7813
alt: 786.378.7813