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As president of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (), �԰����� Police Chief Paul Chapa took steps to create the organization’s first international chapter in Panama three years ago.

Since then, the law enforcement friendship has blossomed, and in July, Chapa invited an international delegation to sign agreements to train and educate the Panama National Police Force in firearms forensics and national and state weapons policies and procedures.

At a ceremony held in �԰�����’s Fiesta Room, law enforcement officials called “historic” the four agreements signed between the government of Panama and the �԰����� Police Department, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the San Antonio Police Department, and the Judson Independent School District Police Department.

“In law enforcement, partnership is key to everything we do, whether it’s a two-man unit patrolling the streets, or the SWAT team working to rid our city and county streets of drugs and guns,” said  Javier Salazar, who signed the agreement as the fourth vice president of HAPCOA and future president of the organization.

San Antonio  William McManus added, “Never did I think our partnerships would extend beyond the borders of our local region, beyond Bexar County, and beyond the borders of the United States. It’s exciting today to sign a memorandum of understanding with our partners in Panama.”

Signing the documents in English and Spanish on behalf of Panama was that country’s Vice Minister of Public Safety Jonattan Del Rosario, who said Panama has made great strides in curbing violent crime but welcomes the agreements with the four Bexar County agencies to continue moving forward in a cooperative spirit. “Rest assured, in Panama, you will always find a key partner and true friend,” he said.

Chapa, who in February received the Medalla de la Policia Nacional from the Panama National Police in recognition of his commitment to law enforcement professionalism, said the two police agencies face the same safety challenges and stand to benefit from the alliance.

Echoing that sentiment, �԰����� President Danny Anderson said he was honored to meet the Panamanian delegation and for �԰����� to host for the ceremony extending San Antonio’s many international connections. “You will learn from us, and we appreciate the opportunity to learn from you,” he told the assembly.

Chapa said the next step is for the agencies to schedule training sessions.

Among those attending the event were Panamanian Ambassador Juan Sosa, Consul General, who is based in Houston; U.S. Ambassador Oliver P. Garza; Retired Army Major General Freddy Valenzuela; and four officials of the Panamanian National Police.

Presiding over the ceremony was HAPCOA Executive Director Anthony Chapa, the  brother of �԰�����’s police chief.