ABOUT OUR PANPAC FAMILY
About our PANPAC Family
The San Diego Pan Pacific Law Enforcement Association was setup as a support system for law enforcement officers of Asian and Pacific Islanders descent and all officers who are in support of our mission to promote diversity and equality within the Law Enforcement Profession.
We are one of the largest and most diverse law enforcement associations in San Diego. We have members from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the San Diego County Region.
Mission
– To provide training and support for pre/post employment in law enforcement professions with a particular emphasis on the recruitment, advancement, and promotions of Asians and Pacific Islanders and those who support our mission.
– To encourage and support the belief that the work force should reflect the makeup of the community.
– To provide speakers/translators and provide liaison between law enforcement and the various cultural communities.
– To recognize and appreciate our cultural diversities and encouraging interaction and understanding, by creating and maintaining a feeling of friendship and fraternity among members and in the community.
– To provide charitable funds for worth while causes.
– And to provide scholarships for the children of our members and members of the San Diego Asian Youth Organization.
Our History
The Law Enforcement Alliance of the Pacific (LEAP) was officially formed on Tuesday, March 16, 1993, by the thirty-four charter members with the ratification of our original constitution. San Diego Police Chief Bob Burgreen was present and extremely supportive of this endeavor. The alliance had members who were Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Guamanian, Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, and Vietnamese. Law enforcement is not a traditional profession for Asian and Pacific Islanders and they were grossly under-represented at all levels within the oganization in 1993. The tragic death of Korean born, Ben Kwang Hyun Chu, acted as a catalyst for the few Asian and Pacific Islanders on the San Diego Police Department to form LEAP.
The association’s first officers were Tom Orden, President; Cesar Solis, Vice President; Katie McGee, Treasurer; and Khamp Thongrivong, Recorder. The association’s officers were assisted by board members, Leroy Kealohalani Dailey, Lynn Le, Tom Li, Jerry McManus, Hung Nguyen, and Mike Yaptangco.
In August of 1993, it was discovered that there was a similar association (LEAAP) in the Los Angeles area with a similar name and acronym. Due to this conflict, the name, Pan Pacific Law Enforcement Association (Pan Pac), was adopted as our new name.
On Friday, September 3, 1993, a golf tournament was held jointly with the Black Police Officers Association. The Archie Buggs – Ben Chu Golf Tournament was held at the Bonita Golf Course where 80 participants teed off. Proceeds from the tournament were applied to each association’s scholarship program. The following year, the Archie Buggs – Ben Chu Golf Tournament had 100 participants.
At the time of the association’s formation there were only 68 police officers of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. Due to the recruiting efforts of association members, seven additional officers were going through police academy training by the end of our first year representing a 10% increase.
(Photo taken on May 14, 1999 w/ PANPAC Members)
Fast forward to the Present…
We currently have over 500 members who are Sworn and Non-Sworn individuals who work in the law enforcement field or who support the law enforcement community.
(Photo taken during 2015 PANPAC Members and Family Appreciation Day Luncheon at the SDPOA Hall of Valor)
Photo taken at the 2015 San Diego Alliance Dragonboat Festival with the PANPAC Warriors Paddle Team
Our Mission Continues…
We continue to work with the community in building partnerships to keep San Diego, America’s Finest City.
We ensure that law enforcement agencies mirror the community we serve and that includes the leadership structure within the law enforcement agencies.
We continue to provide support to all our members whether during hardship and difficult times, preparing for promotions or celebrating successes and important events.
We continue to be one big, happy OHANA!