Peace Officers Research Association of California

PORAC Director Profile

PORAC Director Profile: Andy Garcia

PORAC Director Profile: Andy Garcia

Although this new role may not have been on Garcia’s original agenda, there’s no doubt his experiences and interests have well prepared him for the job. He’s a 14-year law enforcement veteran who began his career in 2011 with the Fontana School Police Department before lateraling in 2020 to the Upland Police Department, where he holds the rank of corporal. He’s also been involved in association leadership since the early stages of his career, starting by becoming treasurer and then president of the Fontana School Police Officers Association. Read More

Finding Her “Why” in Law Enforcement

Finding Her “Why” in Law Enforcement

There is a popular saying, “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you found out why.” It’s an idea that deeply resonates with Cat Alvarez, who discovered her “why” when she became a police officer with the San Jose Police Department in 1998. She had found her calling and was passionate about protecting and serving her community.
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A Veteran Leader Committed to Advancing the Association

A Veteran Leader Committed to Advancing the Association

Lieutenant Alan Kuboyama brings nearly two decades of law enforcement experience as a newly sworn-in PORAC director. Over his 18 years with the Alameda Police Department, Kuboyama has consistently demonstrated leadership, both within his department and through his active involvement over the past four years with the Alameda Police Managers Association. He also served as a board member and president of the Alameda Police Officers Association for 11 years. Read More

Service by Serendipity: Antonio Cueva

Service by Serendipity: Antonio Cueva

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputy Antonio Cueva says he originally got involved in union leadership “by accident.” That chance opportunity launched him on a path that eventually led all the way to the PORAC Board of Directors. Read More

Community Engagement at Its Finest

Community Engagement at Its Finest

Want to learn more about the leaders of PORAC? In this series of profiles, we turn the spotlight on the dedicated directors who help to govern and represent the organization […] Read More

A Unifying Voice

A Unifying Voice

Want to learn more about the leaders of PORAC? In this series of profiles, we turn the spotlight on the dedicated directors who help to govern and represent the organization […] Read More

PORAC Director Profile: Wade Stern

When PORAC’s Statewide Chapter, which represents employees and officers from several state agencies throughout California, was formed last year, one of the top priorities was finding an experienced and passionate director to guide the new chapter. With nearly two decades of experience as a UC Riverside Police Department officer and four years on the Executive Board of the Federated University Police Officers’ Association, Wade Stern, who has been the president of the association for the last two years, was an easy choice for the chapter’s director position. Read More

PORAC Director Profile: Jim Bock

When Valley Chapter Director Jim Bock joined PORAC at the start of his law enforcement career in 1998, all he knew about the Association was that he “paid dues and had LDF coverage — that is where my knowledge began and ended,” he explains. That all changed a few years later, however, when Bock attended his first PORAC Conference in 2001 to learn more about association leadership. The networking, camaraderie and engaging conversation that took place during the Conference helped light a fire under him that has remained strong ever since. Read More

PORAC Director Profile: Dennis Emmitt

Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers’ Association (SCCCPOA) Director‐at‐Large Dennis Emmitt had many diverse career experiences before entering the field of law enforcement. He has worked for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, been a professional wrestler, worked charity events dressed as Star Wars characters and served in the Army National Guard for eight years before honorably discharging as a staff sergeant. He also started his own political consulting company, which he still operates today. Read More