CLEVELAND, January 6, 2024: The Hispanic Police Officers’ Association (HPOA) hosted its 26th Annual Benefit Gala, in celebration of 3 Kings and Latino scholarship. A variety of awards were presented. Chief Andrés González of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Dept. was the keynote speaker. According to Sgt. Emmanuel Vélez, President of HPOA, the gala was sold
out with over 200 in attendance.
La Prensa photos by Mychal Lilly.
Left: Sergeant Emmanuel (Manny) Veléz – President, Hispanic Police Officers’ Association (HPOA)
Left Center: Margarita Claudio – Slone & Co. Funeral Directors
Right Center: Adrianna Johnson (Ambassador – Latina Image Leadership Program)
Right: Officer Erik Melendez – Vice President, HPOA
Pastor Grady Stevenson (former Director of City of Cleveland Community Relations Board), Elizabeth Roman (employee at Cleveland City Council & HPOA Member), Ruben Roman (E. Roman’s spouse and also an HPOA Member – former treasurer 2023)
Manny Veléz, Cleveland City Councilman Michael D. Polensek and Bryana A. Rivera (Ambassador – Latina Image Leadership Program)
Manny Veléz, William N. Masters (Founder & Partner at Masters Law & HPOA Attorney), Officer Erik Melendez, and Bryana A. Rivera (Ambassador – Latina Image Leadership Program)
