HAPCOA Members Recognized at GAHLEP International Award Gala

(New York)  The Global Alliance of Hispanic Law Enforcement Professionals (GAHLEP) sponsored its 7th Annual International Law Enforcement Awards & Dinner Dance, Saturday, October 5, 2019 in Astoria, NY.  Over 400 guests that included executive members of the NYPD, area municipal law enforcement, international police command officials, police associations and members of the community attended this event.

GAHLEP provided recognition awards in several categories to include:  NYPD Hispanic Law Enforcement Awards; GAHLEP Special Awards; National Hispanic Law Enforcement Awards; and GAHLEP International Awards.  

Two members of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA) were recognized by GAHLEP in the Special Awards category.   HAPCOA’s Executive Director Tony Chapa was recognized by GAHLEP with its ‘Man of the Year Award’ and HAPCOA member Victor Avila (ICE Special Agent, retired) was awarded with the GAHLEP ‘Heroism Award’.

GAHLEP Senior Advisor and retired NYPD Deputy Chief Manuel De La Rosa received the ‘Member of the Year Award’.  Chief De La Rosa provided the Aguila Award Keynote address at the HAPCOA Aguila Award Luncheon in Baltimore, MD this past May 1st 2019.

HAPCOA members who attended this event included HAPCOA National Board Sgt at Arms Manny Ovalle; HAPCOA members: Victor Avila (Dallas), Jamie Solis (Miami) and Esteban Blis (Panama).  A special HAPCOA table and congratulatory posting was provided by Ms Dawn Alta Rehrig, President, LPL Financial (a long-time supporter of HAPCOA). Sgt Johnny Nunez, President of GAHLEP recognized HAPCOA as a special sponsor of the event.

The GAHLEP is a professional organization that supports the NYPD and the greater Hispanic Community. The mission of GAHLEP is to improve the individual and collective proficiency of their members in the performance of their duties and to encourage fraternal, educational, charitable and social activities among their members.

On May 1st, 2019 HAPCOA and GAHLEP signed, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) supporting each association’s greater mission, goals and objectives.

GAHLEP Board members and international police award winners from Panama, Honduras, Royal Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic.

HAPCOA members attending the GAHLEP Awards Gala included Tony Chapa (Man of the Year Award), Victor Avila (Heroism Award winner) and Jamie Solis.

HAPCOA Supporter Dawn Alta Rehrig, President of Wealth Management Strategies, sponsored the HAPCOA VIP table, and is pictured with HAPCOA members Manny Ovalle, National Board Sgt at Arms; Tony Chapa, HAPCOA Executive Director; and Jaime Solis, HAPCOA Member.

HAPCOA Executive Director Chapa receives the Man of the Year Award flanked by GAHLEP Board members, to include Johnny Nunez, GAHLEP President and Founder.

Clark Pena, GAHLEP Public Affairs, interviews Chapa for website.