The Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA) is a U.S. law enforcement association founded in California in 1973.[1] It focuses on recruiting Hispanic and Latino Americans and social issues including gang violence.[2]
By August 1998, there were seven chapters and over five-hundred members. In November that year, Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Errol Chavez was elected president.[3] In 2001, Michele Vidal of New Jersey became HAPCOA's first female board member.[4] Yessyka Santana of the New York chapter was the first female chapter president.