For the first time in its history, LaLey – Latino American Law Enforcement Association – an organization created by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to promote the advancement of Latinos, its president is a Latina woman, Lieutenant Commander Celina Robles.
LaLey was created in 1967 to encourage equitable representation of minorities and other unrepresented groups at all levels in the LAPD.
However, even though they have fought for fairness and greater representation in leadership positions within the LAPD, Lt. Robles is LaLey’s first female leader.
Born in Los Angeles ago 40 years , is the daughter of immigrant parents from Jalisco, Mexico, and one of the couple’s 6 children. “Four of my brothers were born in Mexico. I was the first to be born in Los Angeles. ”
She says that her mother María Irene Robles was a farm worker. “She still remembers the many hours she spent picking fruit and working tirelessly.”
Lieutenant Robles grew up in the city of Bell Gardens in Los Angeles County.
“I always liked sports, basketball, softball, track and field. I was the only woman to play baseball with the boys. My father taught me teamwork and not to be selfish ”.
On when he graduated from high school in 1999, he went to the University of California at Davis in Northern California where he graduated from sociology and Chicano studies.
“I always wanted to do something in compliance with the law as a detective. I was fascinated by crime investigation television series, ”she says.
So when she returned to Los Angeles,
But at the same time, encouraged by a friend who worked for the LAPD, she applied to join the LAPD. Police Academy.
“I started the Academy in May of 2006, and I couldn’t finish my master’s degree in criminal justice until 2009 when I completed my process test at LAPD and stabilized. ”
But it describes the entire process to enter the Academy as very exciting. “I ran to check the mailbox to see if letters came telling me that I had passed to the next stage because they are like 7 steps.”
After graduating from the Academy, his period began trial at the LAPD South Bureau, and upon completion she was transferred to the Hollenbeck Division.
“It was a great experience. He was no longer a probationary officer but a police officer. ”
From there he went to the Operations Division Specials, and then to the Division of Narcotics and Gangs.
“Throughout my career I have had different opportunities and assignments from patrol, undercover surveillance and as a detective.”
When she was in Narcotics and Gangs, she was able to testify in court and the judge considered her an expert because of her experience and expertise with a particular gang. ”
Lieutenant Robles has already 15 years and 7 months in the LAPD.
“ It is much more than I expected. Being a policeman is a successful and respected occupation. I don’t think anyone in the world and in the country has the training we receive at the LAPD ”.
And she is also proud to have achieved one of his dreams, to be a detective in the Olympic Division for one year.
“ I always wanted to investigate crime, be a voice for those who do not have it, and help solve and do justice ”
After being a detective, he was a sergeant in the Southeast Division, and he also says he really enjoyed trying to train, guide, direct and motivate all the officers he supervised.
He also worked in the coordination of homeless people.
“It was another great opportunity to learn about the different resources we have to help the underprivileged population. ”
She is currently the Lieutenant Commander ( watch commander ) of the Division Newton who is under the radar of the Central Bureau of Operations. “The watch commander is in charge of the patrol operation.”
Lieutenant Robles says her parents are very proud of her.
“At first when I told my mother that I was going to enter the Police Academy, she worried about my safety, but has always supported me. My parents have always given me the best advice. They taught me not to give up, be honest, responsible, respectful and always give my best. ”
And remember one of his father’s phrases“ you will always advance in life using your head Always thinking and you will be fine. ”
While his mother’s best phrase is“ if you can read, you will never get lost. So keep reading. ”
Lieutenant Robles says that as president of LaLey and now as supervisor In her position, she is proud to open doors for others as a mentor and coach.
“I also have many nieces and nephews. My nieces when they see me, they tell me they want to be policemen. I want them to see that they can be like me or more. ”
She says that it was through the seminars she prepared for those who wanted to be detectives, sergeants and lieutenants, and her work as a mentor , that Armando Pérez, who was the president of LaLey, invited her to participate.
“I started as LaLey’s secretary, and because of my work for 5 years, preparing seminars and as a mentor, the board of directors voted for her to be president. ”
As president of LaLey she is convinced that they can do a difference to make sure that not only more Latinos are recruited but also promoted to leadership positions.
“As president, we have met with Chief Michel Moore and he has made a commitment to diversity with us. , equity and inclusion in all ranks. ”
It shows that you personally mentioned that the representation of women It matters to give better results in the community, and they already began to see it in the recent officer graduation, when more women than men graduated in the entire history of the LAPD.
“ It is critical and important that we reflect on the community we protect, but also to send the message to my nieces and all little girls that they can aspire to any rank to be from officer to chief of police ”.
End December ndo it would be wonderful to have a Latino woman or a Latino man as head of the LAPD one day.
Until 21 October, 71% of all sworn officers are Latino, and the 32% are in command posts.