HAPCOA and Trinity University Co-Sponsor Historic MOU Signing Event with Panama’s Vice Minister of Public Security

(San Antonio)  The Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA) in partnership with the Trinity University Police Department in San Antonio co-sponsored the first ever signing of ceremonial Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) supporting the creation of an international alliance in support of each others law enforcement mission.

Welcoming and opening of the MOU signing event was Chief Paul Chapa (HAPCOA Board Member and former National President), also welcoming all to the event was Trinity University President Dr. Danny J. Anderson.

Addressing the issues of international law enforcement and the need for the creation of stronger alliances with Police Agencies was the Honorable, Jonattan Del Rosario, Vice Minister of Public Security, Republic of Panama.

Among the VIPs attending the event included Panamanian Ambassador Juan Sosa, Consul General, Houston, TX; US Ambassador Oliver P. Garza; Major General Freddy Valenzuela, US Army (retired); Chief Deputy Don Tijerina, Bexar County Sheriffs Office; Assistant Chief Anthony Trevino, San Antonio Police Department; Assistant Chief Pete Perez, Trinity University Police Department and Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz, Bexar County Sheriffs Office (retired).

Representing the Panamanian National Police included:  Commissioner Ovidio Fuentes Concepcion, Director, Office of Institutional Directorate on Public Security; Commissioner Alonzo Vega Pino, Deputy Director, Panamanian National Police; and Commissioner Julio Lasso, Inspector General, Panamanian National Police.

The Master of Ceremony for the occasion was HAPCOA Executive Director Anthony Chapa.  The MOU signing event was held in the Fiesta Room at Trinity University and was attended by over 40 individuals. 

Three Memorandums of Understanding were signed with Vice Minister Del Rosario.  The signatories of the MOU’s included:  Sheriff Javier Salazar, as National Vice President of HAPCOA; Chief William McManus, on behalf of the San Antonio Police Department; and Chief Paul Chapa, on behalf of the Trinity University Police Department and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Invitations were made by the Panamanian Government to HAPCOA and attending agencies to visit Panama for a full tour of its law enforcement operations.

Many thanks to both the HAPCOA Panama Chapter and the HAPCOA San Antonio Chapter for collaborating on this historic international law enforcement MOU signing event.

Chief Paul Chapa welcomes Panamanian Vice Minister Jonattan Del Rosario to Trinity University

Sheriff Salazar signs HAPCOA MOU with Panamanian Vice Minister

SAPD Chief McManus signs MOU with Panamanian Vice Minister

Chief Chapa exchanges MOU with Panamanian Vice Minister

HAPCOA co-sponsors Law Enforcement MOU signing event

Commissioner Vega, US Ambassador Garza, Vice Minister Del Rosario, Panamanian Ambassador Sosa, Commissioner Fuentes and Commissioner Lasso attend MOU event

HAPCOA Executive Director Chapa serves as Master of Ceremony