HAPCOA participates in Police Week 2015 – Washington DC

During the week of May 12-15, Washington, DC was host to National Police Week. HAPCOA was present and represented our association at a number of activities and VIP events. It is reported that nearly 40,000 people attended this years events.

Congress established National Police Week in 1962 and President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

On Tuesday, May 12^th, Anthony Chapa, Executive Director of HAPCOA, was invited to attend the Chairman’s Dinner. This is an annual event hosted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Board of Directors. Presenting the keynote address at this year’s event was William J. Bratton, Police Commissioner, New York City. This event was held at the Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, DC.

Also attending this event were several members of the National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) lead by Andrew Peralta, National President.

On Wednesday, May 13^th, Chapa represented HAPCOA, as part of a small group of national law enforcement associations who were invited to have a private breakfast with Vice President Joe Biden. This event was held as the Vice President’s residence. Other organizations who were invited included: Major City Chiefs, IACP, PERF, FOP, National Sheriffs Association, WIFLE, NOBLE, NAPO, among others. The Vice President also invited members of his senior staff to meet and converse with the law enforcement organizations present regarding 21^st Century Policing.

Later on Wednesday was the 27^th Annual Candlelight Vigil & Board of Directors Reception. The reception prior to the event provided an opportunity for HAPCOA to meet and greet visiting senior law enforcement officials from across the nation.

An overflow crowd attended the Annual Candlelight vigil. Former (2013) HAPCOA National President Chief Paul Chapa, Trinity University Police Department, was one of the many special guests who were invited to read the names of fallen officers. Chief Chapa’s Department lost a Police Officer in the line of duty in 2014.

On Thursday, May 14^th, Executive Director Chapa and Police Chief Paul Chapa were invited to attend an event hosted by the Washington DC Area Liaison Officers Association (LOA). The event was held at the French Embassy. The LOA is an organization made up of senior law enforcement officials and Attaches assigned to the many Embassies’ in Washington, DC.

On Friday, May 15^th, Chief Paul Chapa attended the Official National Police Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement personnel who were killed in the line of duty, and it is held on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The guest speaker was President Barrack Obama. Chief Chapa attended and served as an escort for the family of his fallen Police Officer, Marc U. Kelley.