President: Alexander Martinez (Miami Dade Corrections) Founder of the Latino Officers Association Florida. President Martinez has been involved since 1993 with Hispanic representation in Florida. A member of the law enforcement community since 1989, he is currently in the service with MDCD as a C.I.T. Officer. President Martinez, leadership abilities are exceptional with a special inference in moving the LOA-FLA forward for many years. President Martinez a Christian is married with three children and one granddaughter.   

Vice President: Jose H. Irizarry (Mount Dora Police) I became Vice President of the LOA-FLA in January 2008. I am proud to be a member of the LOA family where I can promote Latino growth, tolerance, acceptance and recruitment in the Florida Criminal Justice Community.

I began my law enforcement career by enrolling in the part-time police academy at Daytona Beach Community College in March of 1999 and earned my Associate in Arts the same year while at the academy. In April of 2000 I was hired as a patrol officer for the city of Mount Dora Police Department and earned a promotion to the rank of corporal in 2005. I currently hold a bachelors degree (BA) in Criminal Justice Administration and am currently enrolled as a graduate student at California University of PA where I will earn a masters degree (MS) in Legal Studies with a minor in Homeland Security.

I am thirty-one (31) years old and currently married to a supportive New Yorican wife. I have 1 five-year old daughter. I am also the son of Iraq combat veteran Dr. Jose Irizarry II.  

Born: Boston, Massachusetts 1975
Married, One Child
Protestant
Education BA Criminal Justice Administration

Mount Dora Police Department, 04/24/2000 to Present Assigned to the Patrol Division.

Treasurer: Jake Mestrinelli                                         (Miami Dade Corrections) Mr. Mestrinelli was born in  Cincinnati, Ohio. Moving to Miami as a child he later attended Miami Dade College Law Enforcement Academy (COT 33) in 1982. Treasurer Mestrinelli has a  
AA Degree from Miami Dade College in (Marketing). He is currnelty married and a Catholic. Before his law enforcment career, Mr Mestinelli was an Assistant Manager at Grand Union Supermarket.

Chaplain Jose Rendon: (Palm Beach Sheriffs Office) With titles in Sociology and Theological Studies, Jose Rendon has devoted his life to serving the community, not only as a spiritual counselor, but also through law enforcement agencies and correctional institutions. Established in Palm Beach County since 1983, Chaplain Rendon has trained and served varied positions from Belle Glade to West Palm Beach .

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jose spent his infant years in Santurce.  At the age of 5, his family moved to the Bronx in New York City .  He attended the DeWitt Clinton High School in Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx . As a youngster he felt the desire to help make things better for the Puerto Rican and the Hispanic Community in New York City .

He did course studies in Theology and Religious education in Bronx in 1976 and later in Sociology at Adelphi University in New York .  He became a Pastor at the age of 24.  During that time he also held various positions in New York in the capacities of Patrol Officer, Eligibility Counselor and Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant.

In 1979 he received a Bachelors degree in Bilingual Social Studies from the Latin American University in Puerto Rico and in 1986 a Masters degree in Bible Theology from the International Bible Institute and Seminary in Florida.

In 1980 he attended the Correctional Probation/Parole Academy in Vero Beach and the Recruit Academy of the
Palm Beach Community College in Lake Worth .  From 1983 to 1995 he was an ESL Instructor at the Palm
Beach County Adult Education Department.  Jose Rendon has also been Chaplain for the Florida Highway Patrol since 1984 and for the Palm Beach County's Sheriff Office since 1985.  In 1997 he attended the Criminal Justice Institute, also at the PBCC.  From 1983 to 1989 he was a Rehabilitation Therapist for the Psychology Department at the Glades Correctional and from 1989 to 1991 he was Corrections and Probation Officer at the same facility.

In 1991 he started working with the Sheriffs Office as a Corrections Deputy at the Substance Abuse Awareness
Program in West Palm Beach . Presently, Mr. Rendon is also the Chaplain for the Latino Officers Association
Florida and member of the Black Elected Officials of Palm Beach County and is the liaison for the Chaplains Unit of the Sheriffs Office.  He is also a member of the Advisory Council for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Palm beach County .

More recently, since December 2005, Chaplain Jose Rendon was assigned to the Community Relations Unit of the Sheriffs Office, becoming the liaison between the Sheriffs Office and the Hispanic Community in Palm Beach County .

With over 35 years of experience as counselor and with community involvement, Jose Rendon is a creative and
resourceful asset for the community and a trustworthy and ethical leader, confident and poised in his interactions with individuals at all levels.

    

Sgt At Arms: Angelo Figueras An Officer with Miami Dade Corrections since 1991 Mr. Figueras is currently a C.I.T Officer. Born in  Boston Mass and a big Boston Red Sox fan he later relocated to South Florida ang joined the Military spending two years witht he the United States Marine Corp. Mr. Figueras also attended the University of Florida, upon his graduation he went on to attend Miami Dade College law enforcment academy COT 62. He is currently married.

 

Executive Secretary: Nelson Delgado                       (Virgina Gardens Police):  24 year veteran of law enforcment both in Police and Corrections. Mr. Delgado served in the Unites States Marine Corp. He is currently a supervisior assigned to the 11th judicial circuit of Florida. Mr. Delgado is currently working on his law degree.

 

Corresponding Secretary: Orlando Torres former Deputy Hendry County Sheriff's Office.   Born 1979 in Camden, New Jersey. Relocated to Lee County, Florida in 1987.

Pursued my passion in 1996 and became a Ft. Myers Police Explorer (1996 -1999) received Explorer of the year and several awards.

1998 I became a Security Officer for allied protection services and American Guardian K-9
Security. Received an award for above and beyond the call of duty during Hurricane Georges

towards the later part of 1998 I was also employed with S.W. FL. Security and Investigation
where I performed security details with a K-9.

April of 2000 my life long dream came true when, I was hired by Lee County Sheriffs Office as a
Detention Deputy and served till 2003. During this time, I also became dual Certified

August 2003 I joined the Lee County Animal Services where I became a State Certified Animal
Control Officer and Animal Fighting Investigator.

January 2005, I joined the Hendry County Sheriffs Office and was assigned to East District.

Achievement
1996 the Athletic Award Baseball Riverdale High School.
1997 Explorer Of the Year.
1998 16 Hrs Of unarmed Security training, Basic Firearms at the Professional Security Institute.
2000 Corrections Certification at Southwest Florida Public Service Academy.
2001 Lee County Sheriffs Deputy of the Year award.
2002 recruiter for the Lee County Sheriffs Office, Gang Investigator assigned to the Jail Division,
E.R.D. Certified,Emergency restraint chair and Breath test operator
2003 Dual Certified at the Southwest Public Service Academy.
2004 Officer Of the Month at Lee County Animal Services.
October 2004 Outstanding Achievement Award.
2006 Distinguished Service Award in Hendry County Sheriffs Office.
2006 State certified Instructor Southwest Florida Public Service Academy.
Presently employed with the Hendry County Sheriffs Office.
2007 Member of the Latino Officer Association Florida elected Hendry Chapter President.
2008 Executive Board Member as Corresponding Secretary. 
 

Immediate Past President: Vacant

 

    

 

Regional Board:

Chair Angel Queipo Gulf Region. (Lee County Sheriffs)Born Miami, Florida 1968 Married with three children

I started my Law Enforcement career in 1990. During my 16 years in Law Enforcement I have held many positions from Patrolman, Field Training Coordinator, Detective(Narcotics, Organize Crime, Gangs and Juvenile Crimes), Road Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Federal Agent (DEA Task Force) and undercover agent.

In 2001 I had the honor to serve under the umbrella of the US State Department/United Nations as Chief of the Street Crimes Unit in Kosovo were I supervised and helped trained 80 police officers / investigators in areas of Tactical Operations and Narcotic Investigations.

In 2004 I served in the police mission in Baghdad, Iraq with the State Department / International Narcotics and Law Enforcement as a Weapons Specialist.

Since April 2006 I have been working for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office as a Road Patrol
Deputy.

Education:
Currently working towards my BA degree in the area of HomeLand Security from North
central University.

Miami-Dade Community College Correction Academy * Florida Keys College Law Enforcement 
794 hours of Investigation          265 hours of Tactical Training
International Instructor OSCE/ICITAP

AWARDS:
Nominee Medal of Valor National Award US Dept of Justice, Attorney General   
US Attorney’s Office Department of Justice Law Enforcement Officer Award  
Broward County Golden Cross Broward County Deputy/ Month 
Broward County Deputy/Month
Broward County Deputy /Month

Community Involvement:
Football Coach- Lehigh Acres Optimist

South Regional Director Raul Fernandez: (Miami Gardens Police)                Born  Havana Cuba 1956
Married, 1 Child, Catholic
Education: BA Crim/Justice

Miami Gardens Police Dept          12-2007 - present. 
 

Lee County Sheriff Office 08-03-03 / 12-2007
Special Operations Division, Gang Suppression Unit