Wise Words from the Prez

Dear O.S.S.O. Members;

Since the day I took office for this great organization, I have thanked God many times over for this extraordinary experience and privilege that I have been allowed to partake on in my life. I thank you the members for allowing me to take over the wheel of our organization. I thank all the members that I know I can count on for help and guidance as this is a job in which it takes many in a combined effort to carefully help this organization grow. This is definitely one for my “bucket list”.

In the first four months of my presidency I have made it a goal to put O.S.S.O.’s name out in the public realm so that O.S.S.O. would be considered a reference for the media when important issues that affect our department are in the news, i.e. 287G, Immigration and H.P.D. I think we are really making ground in that aspect, I feel that if O.S.S.O. doesn’t put itself out in the publics eye that when important issues come about O.S.S.O. will be skipped for comment and therefore be forgotten. In my opinion O.S.S.O. is a force to be reckoned with, especially as we grow in numbers and become stronger.

O.S.S.O. has been a key involvement for our officers who have been slain in the line of duty, our hearts and sympathies go out to them and their families and we stand ready to continue our assistance in any and many ways.  Recently, we had an O.S.S.O. supporter, David Torres (retired DEA) who suggested that O.S.S.O. hold a fundraiser for the Canales kids college funds and O.S.S.O. did it. Houston Astros player Wandy Rodriguez and Assistant Coach Jose Cruz Sr. came to dine with the Canales kids at Cyclone Anayas.  The players signed memorabilia for the kids and O.S.S.O. so that a silent auction could be conducted at a later date. It was a huge success and the owners of Cyclone Anayas donated to O.S.S.O. two one hundred-dollar gift certificates for auction as well. Thanks to the crew at Cyclone Anayas and David Torres who planned the whole event.

I was asked to make appearances at the National Hispanic Professionals Organization and I handed out my O.S.S.O. cards to everyone and developed a few contacts, thanks to Ben Mendez. O.S.S.O. encourages all of our members to get involved with that organization as they help to develop your leadership skills through education. I made an appearance at a couple of fundraisers put on by Los Carnales motor cycle club North side chapter and at the request of Hector Riojas and Mark Leija, President of that chapter or shall I say El Profe y Mopar. It was a wonderful cause, raising funds and providing essentials for the veterans that live in a halfway house downtown along with the first annual “Fallen Officers” benefit in the Bay Area with LCMC Prez Tweedy. I attended my regular meeting at the Mayors Hispanic Advisory Board and was proudly introduced as the first Hispanic female in the State of Texas to be the leader of a major police union.  I attended a press conference with Gary Blankinship regarding Sheila Jackson Lee’s announcement on the City’s stance regarding 287G program. I did an interview with La Voz and El Dia in July regarding the FBI’s recent approval of the 287G program here in the city of Houston.

I spoke with the Chronicle regarding my position on the 287G program, the Rick Salter shooting and the recent death of Henry Canales. 

In between all of this, I still work full time and overtime in my new position in the Narcotics Division and take phone calls from members who need help with issues within the department and who are calling to give me updates on their current issues. I have many loyal supporters who help me with all of this in just a moment’s notice, usually just a phone call away. I am indebted to you all and you know who you are. Meanwhile, I have appointed Dee Leal as chair to my scholarship committee and she is doing an awesome job. I have also appointed Iffy Flores Chair to my Constitutional review committee and he is developing his committee who will work on the ratification of our organizations bylaws. I have appointed Domingo Garcia Chair to my own Special Issues Committee which handles all complaints or issues that our members encounter and struggle with and he is doing an exemplary job. Domingo Garcia is also chair to my recruiting committee and although rocky at first has helped recruit over 50 people in the last four months. Of course Domingo has had help with his staff which includes me, Frances Dominguez-Eads, Greg Henson, Diana Bocanegra, Michael Ybanez, Israel Garcia, Frank Fernandez, Leaot Villareal and new addition Joe Vega who provided free T-shirts for class 204.  John “JG” Garza recently agreed to take over the website and in just one 20 minute tutoring session redesigned the site and is doing an awesome job!!! Please check it out at houstonosso.com . Diana Bocanegra recently took on the task of planning a “visit to the Houston Racepark” to see Henry Canales son, Henry Jr. do his first race without his beloved dad. Diana thought it would be nice to have as many H.P.D. supporters there as possible so she joined forces with Joe Vega who is making supporter t-shirts and selling them at cost to officers who want to attend the race and just wear a t-shirt in Henry’s name.

We recently endorsed Rick Rodriguez for an at large city counsel position #1 and many others are waiting in line to bide for our endorsement. I spoke with Annise Parker and Gene Locke and Peter Brown and others who are running for political positions in Houston .  We have been involved in collaboration with M.A.S.O. and it’s president Albert Rivera and have united with them in efforts to help not only H.P.D. officers but HCSO brothers as well i.e. Bill of Rights.  We collaborate with T.H.P.O.A. , F.O.P. , A.P.O.L. and the H.P.O.U.  in efforts to unite all our officers no matter the differences at times but that we all have a common goal, the betterment of the welfare’s and futures of the officers we represent.

Please read our website from time to time, it was developed for you. It has all upcoming events listed in case you want to socialize with O.S.S.O. members or officers, agencies or clubs affiliated with us. We post pictures of recent events attended by members so you know where O.S.S.O. has been and what we are doing. If you an O.S.S.O. member want to throw a “shout out” on the website for an upcoming event or party send us a short email, which can be done directly through the website. We will only put out a newsletter maybe twice a year now since we are trying to get into the electronic age. We welcome your suggestions and hope to hear new ideas from you, our membership. Lastly, I would like to see O.S.S.O. get more political in our future, in doing this we will attract attention and become recognized, in a city with a population of 42% Hispanic’s I believe that is important. O.S.S.O. needs representatives to visit the House of Representatives in

I see so many new faces with O.S.S.O. and can actually envision O.S.S.O.’s future, a more diverse future with new and talented board members and participating members. I see people like Diana Bocanegra, Mark Leija, John Garza, Joe Vega and Hector Riojas renewing their interests in O.S.S.O. I see new younger and talented members as our future like Gabriel Garcia, Greg Henson, Jennifer Medel, Robert Medel, Leaot Villareal, Marco Loera, Sol Thomas and I am so very proud of them and cant wait to see what they bring to O.S.S.O.’s table in terms of improving our organization. I encourage them to run for board positions or become committee chairs. I am so happy and proud to see these younger O.S.S.O. members begin participation in our great organization. O.S.S.O. has always put out over achievers such as Adrian Garcia, Edward Gonzalez, Rick Rodriguez, Art Contreras, Jess Garza, John Trevino…. Hey where are the women? Come on ladies, game on…I think the women in this organization are the real doers. Everytime a woman in this organization puts her mind to doing something many things get done, i.e. Dee Leal, Frances Dominguez-Eads. Please join us, we always need help.  

I need volunteers! Please call me or email me, I need help with organizing our newsletter, I need someone to put it together, publish it, mail it out and email it out in PDF form to all our members. I need someone to contact local businesses so that they will invest in ads so that we may expand the O.S.S.O. newsletter virtually free of O.S.S.O. funds. I need people to help organize O.S.S.O. events, our Christmas party for example. I need an O.S.S.O. spouse to organize a support group that will meet regularly to help with scholarship fundraisers and other O.S.S.O. events. I need talented volunteers for our Special Issues committee people who are not afraid to ask the question “why?” in this department.  I need a reliable trustworthy person to step up and become our treasurer when Tony wants to retire. I need someone to step up and give Mike a rest in our secretary’s position, he has held this post for at least four years with no one challenging the position. I need someone to step up in Steve Benavides board position since he will soon announce the retirement of his board position.  Will any of these tasks be easy? Hmmm, sometimes, most of the time. Will you have to come to meetings? only 10 a year and one retreat. Will you have to be involved with all O.S.S.O. events? Only those of your choosing. Most importantly, will you benefit from it? Most definitely, you and our members and many other police officers of all races, creeds, colors, and unions.  O.S.S.O. has always made a difference for all officers and as Gary Blankinship puts it, we are the checks and balances for the big union. Who knows maybe one day we will be the big union. God Speed.

Your O.S.S.O President,

Rosalinda R. Ybanez 

Mission Statement

     The Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers (O.S.S.O) has created a diverse membership over the years. The goal of our organization is to assist minorities in special issues that they face in their day to day work life.

     The object of O.S.S.O. is strength through a united effort, guided by intelligence. Such unity essential for the mutual protection and advancement of interests and general welfare of law enforcement officers. We believe this is the hallmark of any organization.

Houston Police Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers

O.S.S.O.

     For over twenty five years, OSSO has committed to represent officers work related issues for safety, equality , dignity and respect.

     Many other brave officers committed their time and knowledge as Presidents and board members to ensure that issues were fought with professionalism and fairness.  In the beginning Hispanic officers issues were seen as Hispanic only. But time has changed and so has our membership. Our diversity has given this organization a new outlook and strength. 

     I remind everyone that although we call ourselves the Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers, you do not have to speak Spanish to be a member.  The time is now to continue to pave the way for diverse membership and growth.  Houston is a melting pot for diversity, join OSSO and help make a difference.

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