CLICK on the image to ENLARGE State Police Lt. Carmelo Ayuso; Rev. Florentino Sánchez (Boston), Lawrence Police Sergeant, Melix Bonilla; Father Luis M. Madera, O.S.A. Dir. Casa Agustín; State Police Sergeant Hemenegildo M. Martinez Jr., Methuen Police Officer Abel Cano Jr., State Representative William Lantigua, D-Lawrence; State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, D-Cambridge; Attorney Robert Harnais; Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Rafael E. Ruiz and Lawrence Chief of Police John J. Romero.

In attendance, were 37 officers (not members yet) from different places like Andover PD, Boston PD, Cambridge PD, Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. (Both Deputy Sheriff & Correctional Officer), Lawrence PD, Lowell PD, Lynn PD, Mass. State Police, Methuen PD, Mass. Suffolk County, Mass. Court Officer, and Mass. Probation Officer.
State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, D-Cambridge; State Representative William Lantigua, D-Lawrence; and Attorney Robert Harnais, President of the Mass. Hispanic Attorneys Association, all Advisory Board Members, were among the attendees. Also attending, were Lawrence Police Chief John J. Romero, Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Rafael E. Ruiz and State Police Lt. Carmelo Ayuso.

M.H.L.E.A. is the brain child of Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Hemenegildo M. Martinez, Jr., its President and Founder, who told the audience that the purpose of the Association is to promote diversity and unity within the Hispanic community that encompasses law enforcement as a whole. This includes Federal, State and Municipal Police Officers, Environmental Police Officers, Campus Police Officers, Probation Officers, Deputy Sheriff & Correction Officers, Court Officers, Court Investigators, College Police Officers and others, from all cities and towns of the State of Massachusetts.

“Today, we are building our foundation, we are going to elevate our Latino Officers to a place where they never been before. With this solid foundation we hope to have a good building”, said Sgt. Martinez, a 20 years veteran with the Massachusetts State Police, where he is a Patrol Supervisor at the Troop D Headquarters, located in Middleboro.

In a Press release, the M.H.L.E.A. expresses that “The idea of making a state wide Association of Law Enforcement Officers was started fifteen years ago. Approximately four to five years ago, the idea was almost manifested into reality, but due to a serious illness from one of the original members, the Association thought best to wait till he recovered.

In August of this year, the City of Lawrence was the host for the annual Dominican Day Parade. During this parade, many municipal Police Officers from different agencies as far as Rhode Island State Police marched together in unity and respect.

There were many important community leaders present, who marched and honored our men and women Police Officers. Chief John J. Romero and State Representative William Lantigua were among those marching alongside with them. This event was the precursor for the Association to move forward with its original plan and was put into motion under the guidance and effort of Sgt. Hemenegildo M. Martinez Jr.”

Their mission statement is: Latinos assisting Latinos in order to achieve representation and recognition. To open the doors for our present and future generations; to create a legacy of service to our community; to be visionary leaders and role models to our chosen profession and the citizens we serve.

According to Sgt. Martinez, they still have important openings in the membership, like Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary and also web page designers, grant writers, etc. “This is a job of love and if you don’t have the capability, don’t apply”, and added, “Before we walk we are going to crawl, but before you know, we are going to be running”.