OUR MISSION
The goal of the Association is to promote equality and professionalism in law enforcement. The objectives of the organization are to create a fraternal/professional association that provides its members and members of the community with career training; conferences and work shops to promote education and career advancement; mentoring; and a strong commitment to community service.
N.L.P.O.A. members build bridges between law enforcement and their communities while working to reduce neighborhood tensions through awareness programs and role model programs. Our philosophy regarding youth and education has reinforced the important contributions that our cultural diversity has provided this great nation. The National Latino Peace Officers Association is the largest Latino law enforcement association in the United States.
2024 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Last fall our 2021-2023 distinguished Board members’ term came to an end, and a new Board of Directors and future leaders have joined our Board. I am honored to be your incoming President and I want to acknowledge the leadership provided by Don Aguilar and the prior board.
As the newly elected President for NLPOA of Ventura County, I am looking forward in this new year to increasing our membership and exploring new way to raise additional funds for our scholarship program. We have enjoyed great support from our members and friends at fund raising events and increasing member participation is one of my goals.
Another goal is to promote training and promotion seminars. We had a successful seminar with Captain Rich Meraz last year and I would like to expand the training and build on that success.
In closing, I will strive to follow our Mission Statement is to promote equality and professionalism in law enforcement by expanding our career training/advancement, mentoring and expanding our commitment to our community.by promoting education and career advancement and a strong commitment to community service. I look forward to working with all of you.
Ed Castruita
2024 NLPOA Ventura County Chapter Board of Directors Elected
Elections were conducted at our Board Meeting on November 19, 2023. Great appreciation for the Board who served for years 2021 to 2023 for their achievements and successes, Here is your newly elected 2024 Board:
President – Ed Castruita
Vice President – Juan Reynoso
2nd Vice President – Oscar Bermudez
Treasurer – Jill Nieves
Secretary – Debra Castruita
Sergeant at Arms – Steve Ramirez
Member at Large – Laura Hernandez
L-R, Juan Reynoso, Jill Nieves, Laura Hernandez, Steve Ramirez, Debra Castruita, Ed Castruita and Oscar Bermudez
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
We are now accepting membership renewal applications for 2024. Please visit the “Membership” page to renew your membership and review the new benefit for our members that is sure to help with personal and professional growth. Membership and renewals are due on March 15, 2024. We Look forward to all 2023 members renewing their membership as well as all of our past members rejoining our association.
Our chapter membership application and be downloaded by clicking
on: NLPOA-Application-template
NLPOA Ventura County Chapter Scholarship Banquet SOLD OUT
Preparations for the Annual Scholarship Banquet are underway. We are committed to helping students pursue a higher education. Students need not be Latino, but merely promote diversity in school and in the work-place. Consideration will be given to those students interested in law enforcement careers, however, all are encouraged to apply. The keynote speaker for this event is Ventura County Clerk Michelle Ascencion,
Visit the Scholarship Page for more details and application form or double click on the below link.
PRINTABLE FORM or ONLINE APPLICATION
For tickets click the below link or the PayPal button on the right side of the page.
Tickets
NLPOA CALIFORNIA STATE CHAPTER TRAINING MAY 1, 2024
ATHENS SERVICES BECOMES FIRST LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CORPORATE SPONSOR TO PARTNER WITH NLPOAVC!
We welcome Athens Services to the NLPOAVC family of amazing sponsors. Athens Services provides an array of waste collection and environmental services throughout Ventura County and they are committed to supporting relevant and advanced training to peace officers in Ventura County. Jennifer Masterson, Director of Government Affairs commented, “We are excited to support the National Latino Peace Officers Association with a $3,000 sponsorship.” On behalf of our NLPOAVC Board of Directors and Members, THANK YOU ATHENS SERVICES!
Recent Ventura County Chapter Events
NLPOA CALIFORNIA STATE CHAPTER
Congratulations to our immediate past president Chief Don Aguilar who was elected as NLPOA California State Chapter President. We look forward to his continued leadership and mentoring.
2023 PANCAKES WITH SANTA FUNDRAISER
Raffle Prizes Fundraiser Guide – 12/21 8-10 AM
Camarillo Applebees
NLPOA CALIFORNIA STATE CHAPTER TRAINING & ELECTIONS OCTOBER 6 & 7, 2023
Mark your calendars for NLPOA California State Chapter Training in Orange County. See flyer above for details. Training is on Friday, Business and State Elections on Saturday.
Strawberry Festival/Hueneme Beach Festival Fundraising Events Successful!
Board of Directors and Members worked fundraising booths at The Strawberry Festival at the Fairgrounds May 20 & 21 and the Port Hueneme Beach Festival August 26 & 27. Because of their dedication and commitment at these events, donations from attendees amounted to FOUR scholarships! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR EFFORTS!
Our final fundraising event this year is Breakfast with Santa is December 17, 2023, at Camarillo Applebees. Lots of raffle prizes and gift baskets donated by our phenomenal Ventura County sponsors! DETAILS/FLYER COMING SOON!
NLPOA VC Chapter will hosted a training day on September 7, 2023.
The training topic was “The Rampart Dialogue: A discussion” and also current challenges for leaders in law enforcement featuring Retired LAPD Captain Rich Meraz. Proceeds benefitted our Scholarship Awards Program. NLPOAVC Board Members hosted the event along with Lifetime NLPOA Lifetime Members Ralph Nieves and Mike Aranda. There were NLOPAVC polo shirts & challenge coins sales, and NEW MEMBERSHIPS!
The training was sold out with over 50 peace officers & civilian law enforcement personnel from regional agencies. Thank you Captain Meraz for a great day of training!
2023 SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET PHOTOS
To view photos, click on: https://shorturl.at/nuzLO
CONGRATULATIONS!
NLPOA Ventura County Chapter President Don Aguilar has been selected as the Interim Police Chief of the Santa Paula Police Department. Don was sworn in on November 7, 2022, at Santa Paula City Hall. There were many supporters in attendance including Don’s family and friends, the NLPOAVC Board of Directors, and area law enforcement representatives.
“PANCAKES WITH SANTA” BREAKS FUNDRAISING RECORD!
On December 11, 2022, NLPOAVC members, guests, and families enjoyed breakfast at Applebee’s in Camarillo at the annual Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser. The event drew the largest attendance in the history of the event! Great raffle prizes were graciously donated by our long-time local sponsors: The Growing Company, Cronies, Two Trees Restaurant and Taps, and El Sancho Loco Taqueria. THANK YOU Tracy, Sandra, and Jill for putting together amazing gift baskets.
Proceeds from the tickets, table donations, and gift baskets was over $2,000, which amounts to TWO more $1,000 Scholarships offered to applicants for the 2023 Scholarship Awards Program!! A big THANKS to Applebee’s, all our Board, Members, guests and Santa, of course, who participated at the event!
2022 HUENEME BEACH FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER – Another Successful Event!
The Hueneme Beach Festival, weekend of August 27 and 28, was great weather and NLPOA Ventura County Chapter worked two refreshment booths to raise money for the 2023 Scholarship Awards Program. Board of Directors and Members joined to work the booth to cheer on those who donated gratuities. Thanks to all who participated. We enjoyed a great event. Looking forward to returning in 2023!
ANNUAL PANCAKES WITH SANTA FUNDRAISER ONCE AGAIN A SUCCESS!
NLPOAVC and Applebees Camarillo hosted our final Scholarship Program Fundraiser of 2021 “Pancakes with Santa” breakfast. The event was well attended and the first ever raffle for prizes was great! Thank you to our LOCAL SPONSORS for their incredible support to make the raffle a big success. A big SHOUT OUT to NLPOAVC Members Tracy Aguilar and Sandra Carrillo for putting together some fantastic raffle gift baskets!
2022 NLPOA Ventura County Chapter Board of Directors Elected
Elections were conducted at our Board Meeting on November 20, 2021. Great appreciation for the Board who served for years 2019, 2020, and 2021 for their achievements and successes, especially during the pandemic. Here is your newly elected 2022 Board:
President – Don Aguilar
Vice President – Ed Castruita
2nd Vice President – Oscar Bermudez
Treasurer – Jill Nieves
Secretary – Debra Castruita
Sergeant at Arms – Juan Reynoso
Member at Large – Bryan MacDonald
MIKE ARANDA RECEIVES NLPOA’S “ALAN ALVAREZ LIFE TIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD” AT NLPOA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
CONGRATULATIONS to Mike Aranda on being recognized for his long-standing contributions to NLPOA, NLPOA State Chapter, and our NLPOA Ventura County Chapter. Mike received his Lifetime Membership Award at the National Conference in Houston on September 11, 2021. THANK YOU Mike for your continued dedication and leadership!
DEPUTY PETER AGUIRRE JR.
MEMORIAL
In 2014, Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Oscar Bermudez initiated the effort to honor Deputy Peter Aguirre Jr. who was killed in the line of duty after responding to a call of a domestic disturbance. Deputy Aguirre has studied to become a school teacher, but after earning his BA degree from California State University, Northridge, he decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. Fellow officers were impressed with Deputy Aguirre’s hard work and dedication to his community.
After much hard work and support from local government officials, Governor Brown signed the legislation for the dedication and placement of a memorial sign in the Ojai Valley. A replica of the memorial sign was presented to the Aguirre Family by Chapter Members Oscar Bermudez and Mike Aranda. If you would like to donate to the costs of the sign, please use the donate button along the right side of this page and indicate your donation is for the Deputy Peter Aguirre Memorial sign.
Dedication Ceremony was held October 14, 2016. Signs are posted on Highway 33 near Ojai California.
